EDF Renewables
| File:Logo EDF Renouvelables.svg | |
| Company type | Société Anonyme |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Pâris Mouratoglou |
| Headquarters | , France |
Key people | Béatrice Buffon (CEO) |
| Products | Electricity generation and development. |
| Revenue | Increase€1,856 million (2021) |
| Template:Loss€813 million (2021) | |
Number of employees | 4,382 (2021) |
| Parent | Électricité de France |
| Website | www |
EDF Renewables—previously known as EDF Renouvelables—is a fully owned subsidiary of the French utility giant EDF Group, dedicated to producing renewable energy. Functioning as an integrated operator, the company is engaged in the development, financing, construction, and operation of renewable energy assets both for its own portfolio and on behalf of third parties.
With operations spanning 22 countries, EDF Renewables had an aggregate installed capacity of 12,468 MW worldwide as of June 2019. Its portfolio is predominantly composed of wind energy projects, supplemented by solar power and energy storage solutions. Additionally, the firm participates in initiatives related to marine energy.
The entity adopted its current name in April 2018, transitioning from EDF Energies Nouvelles.
History
Originally established in 1990 by Pâris Mouratoglou under the name Société Internationale d'Investissements Financiers – Énergies (SIIF Énergies), the enterprise initially concentrated on developing thermal and hydroelectric power plants. A strategic pivot toward renewable energy occurred in 1999. EDF acquired a 35% shareholding in SIIF Énergies in 2000 and raised this stake to 50% by 2002.
In 2004, SIIF was rebranded as EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN), retaining its existing ownership structure. The company went public in 2006, with EDF holding half of the shares, founder Mouratoglou possessing 25.1%, and the remainder available as free float.
EDF finalized its complete acquisition of EDF Energies Nouvelles on August 15, 2011, purchasing all remaining shares from Mouratoglou and public investors to become the sole shareholder.
International expansion
The group broadened its offshore wind portfolio in 2012 while entering new markets including Poland, Israel, Morocco, and South Africa. In 2013, EDF Energies Nouvelles extended its footprint to India and acquired Séchilienne-Sidec’s wind power division (currently Albioma) for €59 million. The company further expanded into Brazil and Chile by 2015.
In 2016, EDF Energies Nouvelles made a significant move into China by acquiring an 80% interest in UPC Asia Wind Management, based in Hong Kong and specializing in onshore wind projects. This approach emphasized increasing wind capacity via collaborations with Chinese partners on specific projects.
April 2017 marked EDF EN’s acquisition of a controlling 67.2% stake in Futuren, a wind farm operator valued at approximately €188 million. Later that year, EDF initiated its Solar Plan aiming to develop 30 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity across France between 2020 and 2035, with an estimated investment of €25 billion.
In 2018, the company rebranded from EDF Energies Nouvelles to EDF Renewables to strengthen its global brand presence. That same April, it began acquiring Luxel, a specialist in photovoltaic installations, finalizing the transaction by April 2019.
By the year 2023, EDF Renewables managed a worldwide portfolio totaling 12.8 GW of combined wind and solar capacity.
Onshore and offshore wind power
Wind energy constitutes the cornerstone of EDF Renewables' operations, representing 87% of its overall installed capacity, predominantly located in Europe and North America. This segment continues to be the principal catalyst for EDF's expansion. By June 2019, the group managed 12,468 MW gross capacity with an additional 4,055 MW under development across 22 countries.
In 2015, EDF secured a contract to supply wind-generated electricity to the Procter & Gamble Group for its manufacturing facilities in North America. The 123 MW wind farm contributes to P&G's objective of reducing emissions by 30% by 2020.
EDF holds a prominent position in offshore wind energy, operating two offshore farms: C-Power in Belgium and Teesside in the United Kingdom. In March 2019, EDF Renewables expanded into China by acquiring stakes in two offshore projects—Dongtai IV and V—planned for completion by 2021 in partnership with Chinese utility China Energy Investment Corporation (CEI).
Additionally, EDF is advancing three significant offshore wind projects in France—Saint-Nazaire, Courseulles-sur-Mer, and Fécamp—totaling nearly 1,500 MW, all awarded through a government tender process.
Photovoltaic sector
Solar photovoltaics rank as EDF Renewables' second most substantial business segment, with operations spanning 13 countries and an installed capacity of 2,423 MW.
In 2016, EDF inaugurated the Bolero solar plant in Chile’s Atacama Desert, boasting a capacity of 146 MW. Its subsidiary Photowatt has partnered with Canadian Solar and EMC Greentech to form a joint venture focused on developing cutting-edge solar panel technologies.
In 2019, EDF Renewables collaborated with Total Eren and their joint venture EDEN Renewables India to finalize a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) covering four solar projects totaling 716 MW across India.
More recently, in September 2023, EDF Renewables North America divested its 200 MW Millers Branch Solar Facility located in Haskell County, Texas to Southern Power, a subsidiary of the Southern Company, for an undisclosed sum.
Electricity storage
In March 2018, EDF unveiled an €8 billion plan dedicated to electrical storage through 2035, aiming to establish itself as Europe’s leader in this field. By June 2018, the company commissioned a 49 MW battery storage installation at West Burton in the UK. Further expanding its portfolio, EDF acquired UK-based battery storage start-up Pivot Power in November 2019.
Germany
On July 5, 2017, EDF EN acquired Offshore Wind Solutions (OWS), a German firm specializing in offshore wind farm operation and maintenance. This acquisition complemented its existing stake in Reetec GmbH held since 2007. By December 2018, EDF began modernizing the Eckolstädt wind farm, increasing capacity from 14.5 MW to 34.5 MW. In September 2019, EDF Renewables purchased development rights for wind projects totaling 300 MW from Altus.
France
EDF launched the Montagne-Ardéchois wind farm (73.5 MW), the largest facility in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in June 2017. Approval was granted for the Mont-des-Quatre-Faux project featuring plans for 63 turbines ranging from 3.5 to 5 MW each. On July 6, EDF EN Services inaugurated a regional management center in Villeveyrac linked to a European control hub overseeing renewable assets.
Also in July 2017, EDF entered into a partnership with the Occitania Region aimed at fostering economic growth and advancing energy transition initiatives. Concurrently, EDF Energies Nouvelles and Naval Energies-OpenHydro commenced construction of France’s inaugural hydro turbine assembly facility at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.
October 2017 saw the commissioning of the La Fossette photovoltaic plant (12 MW) in Fos-sur-Mer by EDF EN and ArcelorMittal Méditerranée. By December of that year, EDF EN announced plans to develop 120 MW of wind and solar projects within Occitania over two years while advancing an additional pipeline of approximately 500 MW.
During summer 2018, EDF inaugurated the Belfays wind farm (20 MW) within Grand Est. In June 2019, French judicial approval was granted for EDF Renewables’ Saint-Nazaire offshore wind farm off Guérande—a project comprising eighty turbines with a total capacity of 480 MW—which became fully operational by September 2022.
September 2019 marked the opening of a solar facility on the former Aramon thermal site; this was followed by commissioning a new wind farm with a capacity of 22 MW in Marne during October.
In October 2022, France implemented a tariff shield capping electricity price increases at 4%, addressing concerns over rising energy costs. Measures included reducing the public electricity service contribution (CSPE) to alleviate price pressures associated with CO2 emission quotas impacting electricity prices due to fossil fuel backup plants.
In March 2023, Eoliennes en Mer Marche Normandie—a subsidiary of EDF Renewables—partnered with Maple Power to develop a large-scale offshore wind project of approximately 1 GW off Normandy’s coastline.
United Kingdom
In December 2014, EDF Renewables divested an 80% share in three wind farms located in the UK to China General Nuclear Power Corporation.
By April 2017, EDF Renewable Energy, collaborating with EDF Energy, brought into operation the Corriemoillie (47.5 MW), Beck Burn (31 MW), and Pearie Law (19.2 MW) wind farms. Beck Burn officially commenced operations in July 2017. During the same period, EDF Energy Renewables acquired 11 wind farm sites across Scotland from Partnerships for Renewables, with an aggregate potential output of 600 MW.
In May 2018, EDF Energies Nouvelles acquired the offshore "Neart na Gaoithe" (NNG) wind farm project in Scotland from the Irish firm Mainstream Renewable Power. Initially designed for up to 450 MW capacity with 125 turbines, the project received Scottish government approval in 2018 to redesign with 56 turbines of higher capacity. The NNG facility began operations in October 2024 and is projected to be fully operational by summer 2025.
EDF Renewables inaugurated the Blyth wind farm in July 2018, which includes five turbines each rated at 41.5 MW and connected by 66 kilometers of offshore cabling. These turbines were pioneering in their use of concrete gravity-based foundations. In October 2021, EDF sold a 49% ownership interest in Blyth to Malaysia’s Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
To facilitate further renewable energy investments, EDF sold a 49% minority interest in a portfolio of 24 UK wind farms to Dalmore Capital and Pensions Infrastructure Platform for £701 million.
In 2019, EDF Renewables expanded its portfolio into electric vehicle infrastructure by acquiring Pivot Power, a UK-based start-up specializing in EV charging and battery storage solutions.
Ireland
EDF Renewables made its entry into the Irish market in February 2020 by purchasing a 50% stake in the Codling offshore wind farm situated off County Wicklow.
South America
In June 2017, EDF EN acquired an 80% interest in the Pirapora II photovoltaic project (115 MW) located in Brazil from Canadian Solar, following a similar purchase made in 2016. Pirapora I and III were connected to the grid during 2017, while Pirapora II became operational by mid-2018.
EDF EN confirmed plans in September 2017 to expand the Toucan solar power plant with integrated storage capabilities in French Guiana, aiming for a total capacity of 10 MWp and scheduled for commissioning by late 2018.
In November 2017, EDF EN do Brasil commissioned the Ventos da Bahia wind farm with a capacity of 66 MW located in Bahia State.
By January 2018, EDF EN partnered with Andes Mining & Energy to commission the Santiago solar photovoltaic plant (115 MW) in Chile, which deploys roughly 400,000 solar modules over an area of approximately 200 hectares.
In April 2018, EDF EN secured a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for a wind project generating 114 MW in Bahia through a federal auction. Later that year, two additional expansions were awarded: Folha Larga was granted an increase of 147 MW and Ventos de Bahia an additional 129 MW.
November 2018 saw EDF Renewables Brazil signing a long-term electricity supply contract with Braskem for a new wind project of 33 MW capacity in Bahia; construction began in 2019 with commissioning targeted for 2021.
Construction on the Serra do Seridó wind farm commenced in 2021. This two-phase project comprises 85 turbines and achieved full commissioning at a total output of 480 MW by July 2024, becoming South America’s largest wind energy complex.
Canada
In January 2018, EDF Renewables brought the 224 MW Nicolas-Riou wind farm into operation in southeastern Quebec, officially inaugurated in June of the same year.
Later, in December 2018, EDF Renewables Canada finalized a 20-year renewable electricity support contract with Alberta's AESO for the 201.6 MW Cypress wind project. By June 2019, Desjardins Group Pension Plan revealed intentions to acquire a 40.5% interest in this development. The combined 274 MW Cypress 1 & 2 Wind Project near Medicine Hat, Alberta, reached completion by September 2023.
United States
EDF Renewables significantly grew its U.S. portfolio through strategic acquisitions and project developments. In March 2012, it purchased the 150 MW Bobcat Bluff Wind Farm located in Texas, which became operational by December that year. In July 2017, two solar projects totaling 179 MW in Clark County, Nevada, were acquired, with power sales directed to NV Energy subsidiaries.
September 2017 marked the signing of a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) between EDF and Kimberly-Clark for 120 MW of the 154 MW Rock Falls wind project in Oklahoma, which commenced operations in December. That November, a contract was secured with Google to supply energy from the 200 MW Glacier Edge wind farm situated in Iowa.
The commissioning of the 200 MW Red Pine wind farm in Minnesota occurred in January 2018. Later that year, EDF expanded its solar portfolio by acquiring a 50% stake in EnterSolar. November 2018 saw EDF enter into two separate 20-year power purchase agreements for the 128 MW Big Beau Solar+Storage facility in California, which includes an integrated 40 MW battery storage system; commissioning was projected for the end of 2021. Additionally, EDF and Shell Energy North agreed on a 15-year PPA for 100 MW from the Palen photovoltaic "Maverick 4" project during the same month.
In December 2018, EDF Renewables partnered with Shell New Energies to establish a joint venture focused on offshore wind development off New Jersey’s coast. This collaboration included acquiring lease rights for the Atlantic Shores project and conducting oceanographic surveys as of September 2019.
January 2019 witnessed EDF commissioning the 80 MW Copenhagen wind project in northern New York and securing a contract with NYSERDA for a photovoltaic installation of 212 MWp at Morris Ridge. By March, EDF had signed sales agreements for five solar facilities totaling 310 MW across Florida.
In August 2019, EDF joined forces with Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives to construct a 300 MW wind farm in Southeast Nebraska, aiming for operational status by November 2020.
By December 2022, EDF had entered into an Economic Development Agreement concerning its proposed Paddlefish Solar project (350 MW) located in Indiana, with plans to commence construction in 2026 and begin operations by 2028. In January 2023, EDF divested half of its ownership stakes in five wind farms across Texas and New Mexico to Boralex.
EDF finalized the construction of the 229 MW Morris Ridges Solar Project near Mount Morris, New York, by December 2024.
Mexico
EDF Renewables inaugurated its first solar facility in Sonora, Mexico, during 2019, boasting a capacity of 119 MW while managing an additional portfolio of approximately 900 MW of wind energy within the country.
In June 2022, plans for the 252 MW Gunaa Sicarú wind project—developed alongside Mexican state utility CFE—were terminated following a ruling by a French court amid allegations involving local intimidation and violence.
Egypt
In October 2017, EDF collaborated with Elsewedy Electric Group to develop, construct, and manage two solar power facilities with a combined capacity of 100 MWac in Aswan, Egypt. Subsequently, two more plants commenced operations there in October 2019. Additionally, EDF acquired a shareholding in the Egyptian solar enterprise KarmSolar in November 2019.
Saudi Arabia
EDF EN was among 25 contenders selected in August 2017 to compete for the development of a 400 MW wind farm located in Dumat Al-Djandal within the Al-Jawf region. Partnering with Masdar, EDF secured funding for this $500 million initiative by July 2019, with commercial operation anticipated by 2022.
In December 2024, a consortium led by EDF Renewables formalized agreements to construct and operate two solar energy projects in Saudi Arabia, amounting to a total of 1,400 MW and valued at $850 million.
United Arab Emirates
On May 22, 2017, EDF RE became part of the consortium responsible for the third phase of the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park in Dubai. The initial 200 MW segment was commissioned in May 2018.
EDF RE maintains a 20% ownership interest in the Al Dhafra Solar project, which has a capacity of 2 GW and ranks among the largest solar initiatives worldwide; it began operations in November 2023.
Israel
In October 2018, EDF Renewable Israel brought online five solar photovoltaic installations totaling 101 MWp across the Negev desert. These include Mashabei Sadeh (60 MWp), Pduyim (14 MWp), Mefalsim (13 MWp), Kfar Maimon (7 MWp), and Bitha (7 MWp).
China
In February 2018, EDF Renewables teamed up with Asia Clean Capital (ACC) to establish a joint venture dedicated to developing and managing rooftop solar projects throughout China.
India
SITAC Wind Management and Development, a joint venture equally owned by EDF Renewables and SITAC group, commissioned five wind farms equipped with 82 turbines and totaling 164 MW capacity in Gujarat as of April 2017.
Through their Eden joint venture, EDF RE and Eren RE commissioned three photovoltaic plants totaling 87 MW in Uttarakhand State and Madhya Pradesh during November 2017.
In July 2019, EDF Renewables entered into four power purchase agreements with Total Eren for solar projects aggregating 700 MW capacity in Uttar Pradesh.
South Korea
EDF Renewables expanded its offshore wind portfolio by acquiring the West Sea Energy 1 project in Yeonggwang, South Korea from Shell Overseas Holdings Ltd. in September 2024.
Finances
EDF Energies Nouvelles was removed from the Paris stock exchange on August 12, 2011, following EDF’s increase of its ownership stake to 96.71% in June that year. Shares held by minority investors were transferred to EDF, which attained full ownership by September 27, 2011.