By Anaïs CONNAN, on 08 October 2024
Reading time: 3 min.
Alban Verbecke from Grenoble first visited Normandy twenty years ago. He is now president of Normandie Energies and shares his bond with a land that he wouldn’t leave for anything in the world. It’s a land that stands out for its sustainable energy and being a unique place to live.
Where does Normandy rank in terms of energy?
Normandy is the biggest energy producer in Europe in terms of petrol, gas and electricity. The French government wants the entire energy industry to be carbon-free. That means we need more electricity. The aim is to increase electricity production and consumption from 25% to 55-60%.
An industry of excellence
Normandie Energies is Normandy’s energy mix industry. It comprises up to 280 companies with 50,000 employees in the region. The industry works in 4 areas: new uses, renewable energy, nuclear, petrol & gas. That involves energy uses, decarbonisation, heat networks, smart networks plus transport, EV chargers and energy production.
How can Normandy fulfil the objective?
We’re going to significantly increase offshore wind farms by around 4000 megawatts – the equivalent of double Normandy’s consumption for Normandy. That means we’ll be able to export it. Just picture it: 20MW wind turbines as tall as the Eiffel Tower and 40-50km off the coast.
We’re also going to develop solar energy: manufacturers and the general public should be able to be self-sufficient. There are currently 30 Norman companies working solely on solar power.
Another area the region stands out in is nuclear: the French president said he wants to reboot nuclear power and again, it’s all happening in Normandy. We have eight working reactors. Flamanville this year and we’re restarting construction on two new reactors.
- Energie
- Green Normandy
- News
- Norman
- Seine-Maritime
- Working
Nuclear, a future industry in Normandy
By Lucie QUIGNON, on 07 May 2024
Reading time: 6 min.
How about hydrogen?
There’s a major project in the pipeline in Port-Jérôme for a huge hydrogen plant around 200 megawatts. It’s worth mentioning that it’s a worthwhile energy molecule, since a kilo of hydrogen accounts for 4 times more energy than a litre of petrol. The problem is that it must be stored at less than -253°C which requires constant cooling.
But an incredible innovation recently appeared in Normandy near Vernon: we can now render hydrogen inert which means we can transport it at room temperature and pressure.
96% of the region's electricity production is lower carbon. Normandy really is an outstanding region and has set the benchmark.
Alban Verbecke
What do all these projects mean for recruitment?
In terms of nuclear energy, we need a lot of new talent for both production and Orano, specialists in recycling nuclear fuel. That’s why the 3NC project launched in the region. The training and skills development project will help us train all the engineers we need and meet the objective of training twice as many engineers in the region. We also need a huge amount of talent at the offshore wind forms which use pioneering technology.We need around 40,000 people to work on these amazing projects in the next 10 years. We need new talent in Normandy!
Here's a message for anyone about to graduate: if you want to stay and work with us, we'll welcome you with open arms. We need you!
Alban Verbecke
Aside from future careers, why choose Normandy?
I can tell you why: Normandy is my new home as I come from Grenoble. The quality of life here is incredible. You feel calm and safe. The scenery is fantastic and there are lots of things to do.
I personally love water sports: I love going kitesurfing and windsurfing. And I promise that some of the best hikes in France are in Normandy!
You may like
Energy industry in Normandy
- Choose Normandy for
- Doing business
- Energie
- Environment
TELED, the Normandy method to adapt companies to energy variability
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Jan 2025
Reading time: 5 min.
- Energie
- Fécamp
- Innovation
- Seine-Maritime
- Study
- Success story
- Working
- Youth
Campus Normandie Eolien: a unique training venue
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 10 Dec 2024
Reading time: 5 min.
- Energie
- Manche
Flamanville EPR: a powerhouse in Normandy
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Nov 2024
Reading time: 5 min.
- Energie
- Environment
- Expertise
- Green Normandy
- Living
- Portrait de Normand
- Youth
Exploring Nuclear Training and Risk Prevention in Normandy
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 10 Oct 2024
Reading time: 6 min.
- Energie
- Green Normandy
- Living
The 3NC project: Normandy powers up nuclear training
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 10 Oct 2024
Reading time: 5 min.
- Energie
- Seine-Maritime
Green hydrogen; Air Liquide Normand’Hy aims to build an electrolyser of at least 200MW
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 08 Oct 2024
Reading time: 4 min.
- Calvados
- Energie
- Green Normandy
- Innovation
- Research
Biofuel production is being revolutionised by the T.H2 project in Normandy
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 30 Sep 2024
Reading time: 7 min.
Thematics
Did you find this content useful?
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that you found this content useful. Your encouragement is important to us, and your feedback helps us to improve.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that this content was not useful to you. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Share this content
Share this content
You might also like
- Choose Normandy for
- Doing business
- Energie
- Environment
TELED, the Normandy method to adapt companies to energy variability
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Jan 2025
Reading time: 5 min.
- Cherbourg
- Green Normandy
- International
- Manche
- Maritime & freight industry
- News
- Study
- Working
Jérémie Morizet and Clément Schapman set a deep-sea exploration record
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Jan 2025
Reading time: 9 min.
- Green Normandy
- Industry
- Innovation
- International
- News
- Working
Normandy’s manufacturing industry is committed to the future
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 10 Dec 2024
Reading time: 2 min.
- Energie
- Fécamp
- Innovation
- Seine-Maritime
- Study
- Success story
- Working
- Youth
Campus Normandie Eolien: a unique training venue
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 10 Dec 2024
Reading time: 5 min.
- Aeronautics & Space industry
- Defense & security
- Green Normandy
- Innovation
- Le Havre
- News
- Seine-Maritime
- Working
Safran Nacelles clears decarbonisation for take-off near Le Havre
By Normandie Attractivité, on 03 Dec 2024
Reading time: 4 min.
- Caen
- Calvados
- Doing business
- Green Normandy
How the general public supports bioplastics research in Normandy
By Normandie Attractivité, on 20 Nov 2024
Reading time: 4 min.
- Energie
- Manche
Flamanville EPR: a powerhouse in Normandy
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Nov 2024
Reading time: 5 min.
- Craft industry
- Doing business
- Green Normandy
- Innovation
- Norman
- Portrait de Normand
- Rouen
- Seine-Maritime
- Success story
GLLU: sustainable furniture made in Normandy
By Anaïs CONNAN, on 06 Nov 2024
Reading time: 4 min.