Total Direct Énergie
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France, Belgium |
| Products | Electricity generation, distribution, natural gas, renewable energy |
| Owner | TotalEnergies |
| Parent | TotalEnergies |
Total Direct Énergie, previously known as Direct Énergie, is a French multinational electric utility enterprise engaged in electricity generation, distribution, natural gas, and renewable energy sectors. Established in 2003 as an alternative provider to the longstanding monopoly held by Électricité de France, the company also extends its operations into Belgium via its subsidiary Poweo.
Activities
The company generates electricity and supplies energy to approximately 2.1 million customers across France and Belgium, serving both individual consumers and business clients. It controls an electricity production capacity of 800 MW, mainly derived from gas power station facilities.
History
Direct Énergie was created in 2003 and initially experienced financial losses within both commercial and residential segments. In 2008, it launched Neoen, a dedicated branch aimed at the development and management of renewable power station projects.
In 2011, the firm acquired a 46% interest in a rival company, finalizing a merger in 2012 that established it as the third-largest energy provider in France.
In April 2018, the French energy corporation Total S.A. declared a €1.4 billion offer to purchase 74% of Direct Énergie’s shares from principal investors. By July of that year, Total owned 73.04% of the company, increasing its holding to 95% by September and commencing squeeze-out processes for the remaining minority shares. Following this, Direct Énergie was removed from trading on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext Paris) in September 2018.
In December 2022, several NGOs such as Friends of the Earth and Survie initiated legal proceedings against Total, accusing the company of breaching French corporate vigilance laws concerning human rights and environmental responsibilities.
Sponsoring
Between 2008 and 2010, Direct Énergie sponsored Olympique de Marseille and has been the principal sponsor of the French professional cycling team since 2016.