Technip Shows Interest in Marine Renewable Energies

French oil services provider Technip has acquired stake in the new industrial player in marine renewable energies established by DCNS and Bpifrance, and also supported by BNP Paribas Development.

DCNS Energies, majority owned by DCNS and 36% by the SPI fund of Bpifrance, will devote its activity to the industrial and commercial development of three technologies for the production of electricity from Marine Renewable Energies (MRE): tidal turbine power that uses the kinetic energy of sea currents, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and offshore wind energy via semi-submersible floats.

The new company intends to mature these three MRE technologies before moving on to the industrial phase in the near future. It will be backed by Technip, which will bring its expertise in the engineering and management of projects in the marine environment. Confident in the prospects of the company, BNP Paribas Développement has joined the pool.

In addition to the contributions in terms of industrial facilities and intellectual property of DCNS, the four shareholders will provide a total of € 100 million in equity for DCNS Energies, which will also use financial leverage.

For Hervé Guillou, chairman and CEO of DCNS: “The creation of DCNS Energies is part of our strategic action plan, one of whose aims is to apply our technical expertise and generate growth in the employment areas of DCNS in France. By positioning ourselves in the fast-emerging market of MREs, the partnership with Bpifrance, Technip and BNP Paribas will allow us to develop a French sector that creates jobs and added value on a global scale. I am convinced that DCNS Energies will successfully meet the technological and commercial challenges of the sector and achieve its ambition to become a world leader in the marine renewable energies industry.“

Thierry Pilenko, chairman and CEO of Technip, stated: “We are delighted to bring to DCNS Energies our expertise and skills in engineering, in particular offshore engineering, and in managing complex projects. Our extended international presence can also provide more market access worldwide. Technip has extensive experience, based on our achievements in fields ranging from onshore to offshore, including subsea systems. Our expertise in design, construction and installation will be available to DCNS Energies, to optimise the development of their projects.”