Cegelec

Cegelec
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Engineering, Electrical infrastructure, HVAC, Information technology, Nuclear energy, Transport infrastructure, Robotics
Predecessor	Compagnie Générale d'Entreprises Électriques (CGEE), CGEE-Alstom, Alstom Contracting
Founded	1989; 37 years ago
Founder	Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE), General Electric Company (partnership)
Fate	Acquired by Vinci Energies
Successor	Actemium (brand name adopted in 2014)
Headquarters	Saint-Denis, France
Area served	Worldwide (notably France, Brazil, Indonesia, Middle East, Africa)
Products	Electrical infrastructure, HVAC systems, IT systems, Nuclear energy engineering, Transport infrastructure, Robotics
Owner	Vinci Energies
Number of employees	22,000 (2010)
Parent	Vinci Energies

Cegelec, also known as Actemium, is a French engineering firm with expertise in electrical infrastructure, HVAC, information technology, nuclear energy development, transport infrastructure, and robotics. It caters to both public institutions and private enterprises. Founded in 1989, the company employs approximately 22,000 staff members (as of 2010) and has operations spanning 30 countries, notably maintaining strong footholds in France, Brazil, Indonesia, the Middle East, and Africa. On 14 April 2010, it was acquired by Vinci Energies, incorporating Cegelec's specialized divisions into Vinci's organizational framework.

History

The origins of the company date back to 1913 when it was established as Compagnie Générale d'Entreprises Électriques (CGEE) by Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE). In 1971, it was rebranded CGEE-Alstom. Subsequently, in 1989, CGE partnered with General Electric Company to form GEC-Alstom, leading to the renaming of CGEE-Alstom as Cegelec. By 1999, the business operated under the names Alstom Entreprise and Alstom Contracting.

A significant change occurred on 20 July 2001 when Alstom Contracting was subject to a Leveraged Management Buyout supported by Caisse des dépôts et consignations and Charterhouse Capital Partners, prompting a return to the Cegelec brand. In 2006, private equity firm LBO France took ownership, followed by majority control by Qatari Diar in 2008. Vinci completed the acquisition of Cegelec in September 2009. The company adopted the Actemium brand name in 2014.

Organisation

After Vinci's acquisition from Qatari Diar in 2010, Cegelec maintained its existing organizational setup. Vinci Energies provided operational support without restructuring the company’s internal organization.

Cegelec operates through 15 subsidiaries grouped under Cegelec Enterprise. Following the takeover, Vinci Energies assumed responsibility for administration and management, while each subsidiary continued focusing on its area of expertise. As of April 2020, prominent subsidiaries include:

Cegelec CEM
- Dedicated to nuclear energy engineering with a workforce of around 240 employees, Cegelec CEM serves clients such as Électricité de France (EDF), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), ANDRA, Areva, and ITER. It comprises three divisions:
  - CEM Ingénierie: Engaged in designing new nuclear facilities ensuring adherence to safety regulations and sustainability criteria.
  - CEM Projets: Manages research initiatives and waste treatment projects, notably contributing to ITER’s experimental reactor development and advanced robotics.
  - CEM Énergie: Focuses on maintenance and modernization tasks including upgrades for EDF’s nuclear plants and conducting nondestructive testing (NDT) services at Hinkley Point C in the United Kingdom.
Cegelec Projets Espace
- Specializes in space-related engineering projects, collaborating with CNES on endeavors such as cryogenic interface development for the Ariane 6 rocket. Primarily operates on a contract basis providing engineering support, fire safety solutions, and protective equipment design.
Cegelec Défense
- Offers tailored security and cybersecurity solutions while working closely with the French Armed Forces and Vinci's network. Recently secured a government contract for maintenance of Chalands Multi-Missions vessels used in underwater repairs and pollution control. This subsidiary includes four operational units:
  - Défense Solutions & Services: Supplies mobile command centers, expeditionary logistics support, climate simulation systems, and medical apparatus.
  - Défense Infrastructure & Networks: Concentrates on constructing hardened facilities, communication infrastructures, and long-term upkeep.
  - Défense Marine: Responsible for maintenance and refitting of military naval vessels employing modern technologies across France and abroad.
  - Défense Protection & Security: Provides civilian security services such as surveillance operations, access management, perimeter defense, and facility enhancement.
Cegelec Mobility
- Established prior to Vinci’s acquisition as a core division, Mobility specializes in transport engineering encompassing design and management of roadways, tunnels, and rail systems with an emphasis on electrical components like railway electrification and intelligent traffic control systems. It operates internationally including countries such as France, Luxembourg, Morocco, and Algeria; notable projects include electrification of the Rabat-Salé tramway in Morocco (2008).

Additional subsidiaries include Cegelec Centre-Est Tertiaire, Cegelec Netherlands, Cegelec Nord Grands Projets, Cegelec Perpigna, Cegelec Polynésie, Cegelec Quimper Infras, Cegelec Ancenis Infras, Cegelec Belgium, Cegelec Shelters Transport Métallerie (STM), Cegelec Tertiaire IDF, and Cegelec Valenciennes Tertiaire.

France

In 2010, Cegelec generated 58.1% of its revenue within France, where it serves sectors including nuclear, maritime, defense, and electrical engineering/transportation. The company's global activities are managed from its international headquarters located in Saint-Denis. Among significant projects was a 2014 contract to develop remote handling systems for France’s planned underground nuclear waste repository, valued at around €20 million and scheduled over a four-year period.

Rest of Europe

Beyond France, European markets contributed 26% to Cegelec's 2010 turnover, with stronger sales in countries geographically close to France. The company’s presence varies across nations; for instance, the Netherlands and Czech Republic operate with localized websites and maintain a degree of operational independence from the central Cegelec brand.

European nations where Cegelec has been active since 2010 include:

Africa

Cegelec targets electrical and transport infrastructure projects in Africa, securing contracts tailored to each country's needs. Noteworthy undertakings include overseeing the electrification of an 18 km tramway in Rabat, Morocco (2008), and a €25 million modernization project for Cameroon’s national oil refinery in 2010. This refinery upgrade implemented cutting-edge pneumatic technology alongside improved safety measures over an 18-month timeframe, enhancing operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Countries in Africa where Cegelec has executed projects include:

Middle East

During the early 2000s, rapid growth in the Middle East’s oil and gas sectors increased regional GDP by 32%, leading local enterprises to enlist offshore partners for operational support. Cegelec was awarded a $72 million contract by Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited to design, supply, and install integrated control systems for the Bab and Adab gas liquefaction facilities. This project was completed within 28 months by mid-2007.

Cegelec maintains operations across these Middle Eastern countries:

Other Areas of Operation

Additional regions where Cegelec has conducted activities include:

Scientific Achievements

Cegelec has made notable contributions across nuclear engineering, electrification logistics, robotics, infrastructure development, information technology systems, and safety mechanisms. A key innovation is its programmable safety protection system (SPS – AC 132–16), which has been a fundamental component of nuclear reactor safety protocols since 1999. Core elements of this system are still utilized in contemporary nuclear facilities, with Cegelec continuing its development and upkeep.

The company holds several patents related to energy technologies aimed at improving transistor performance and minimizing energy losses. Its renewable energy portfolio includes patents for wave energy converters and variable speed converters designed for wind turbines. For example, Cegelec created a DC bus-fed inverter for the OSPREY wave energy initiative that enhances electrical output and conversion efficiency. In wind energy applications, it developed the Alspa GD4000—a bidirectional 45 kW variable speed drive integrating generators with flywheel storage systems. Although renewable energy ventures yield lower profitability compared to nuclear or electrical infrastructure projects, these innovations establish groundwork for future technological progress.

Cegelec's participation in major international scientific initiatives comprises:

Since 2016, involvement in the ITER fusion project under Fusion For Energy (F4E), focusing on designing and maintaining remote handling equipment within the fusion reactor—representing one of the company’s most significant global nuclear endeavors.
In 2017, securing a contract from the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) to redesign cryogenic interfaces between Ariane 6 launch vehicles and ground support systems in French Guiana. This collaboration with Latecoere Services and Air Liquide facilitated efficient fueling arm operations within the integrated launcher framework.

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