Engie facts for kids
Engie headquarters in La Défense, Courbevoie, France
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| Société Anonyme | |
| Traded as | Euronext Paris: ENGI CAC 40 Component |
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Predecessor | Gaz de France Suez |
| Founded | 22 July 2008 |
| Headquarters |
La Défense, Courbevoie
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Key people
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Catherine MacGregor (CEO) Jean-Pierre Clamadieu (Chairman) |
| Products | Natural gas production, sale and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, hydroelectricity, nuclear power, wind power, energy trading, Facilities Management and Business Services |
| Revenue |  €60.1 billion (2019) |
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Operating income
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€5.7 billion (2019) |
 €984 millions (2019) |
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| Total assets | €159.8 billion (2019) |
| Total equity | €38 billion (2019) |
| Owner |
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Number of employees
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171,100 (2019) |
| Subsidiaries | GRDF GRTgaz Elengy Storengy Altiservice Engie Endel Engie Engie Ecova Engie Electrabel Engie Fabricom Engie Global Markets Engie Home Services Engie IT (Information et Technologies) SHEM Engie Lab Crigen Engie M2M Engie Réseaux Solairedirect Engie Impact Tractebel Culturespaces Engie Green La Compagnie du vent Électricité de Tahiti Smart4Power |
Engie (pronounced "ahn-jee") is a large French company. It provides electricity and natural gas to many homes and businesses. Engie also works with nuclear power and renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
The company's main office is in La Défense, Courbevoie, France. Engie supplies electricity in 27 countries in Europe and 48 countries around the world. It was created on July 22, 2008. This happened when two big companies, Gaz de France and Suez, joined together.
Engie's history goes back to 1858. That's when the company that built the Suez Canal was founded. Today, Engie is listed on the stock exchanges in Paris and Brussels. It is also part of the CAC 40 index, which includes 40 of the biggest companies in France.
Contents
Engie's History
Before Engie: Suez and Gaz de France
Before 2008, Engie was two separate French companies. These were Suez S.A. and Gaz de France.
Suez was a very old company. Its history goes back almost 200 years. It was involved in many different businesses. The name 'Suez' comes from the company that built the famous Suez Canal in 1858.
Gaz de France was created in 1946 by the French government. It was made to manage the country's natural gas supply. Later, Gaz de France also started working with electricity. In 2005, parts of Gaz de France were sold to private investors.
Becoming GDF Suez (2006-2008)
In 2006, the French Prime Minister announced a plan. He wanted to merge Suez and Gaz de France. The goal was to create the world's largest company for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The French government owned most of Gaz de France. So, a new law was needed to allow the merger. Many people were against this plan. They worried it would lead to higher energy prices.
Despite the opposition, the law was passed in December 2006. To get approval from European regulators, both companies had to sell off some of their smaller businesses. Finally, on July 22, 2008, the new company was officially formed. It was called GDF Suez.
GDF Suez (2008-2015)
When GDF Suez was formed, it became the world's second-largest utility company. It had huge annual revenues. The French government's ownership in Gaz de France turned into a 35% share in the new company. The water and waste parts of Suez became a new separate company called Suez Environment.
In 2009, the European Commission fined GDF Suez and another company, E.ON. This was because of agreements they had made about a gas pipeline. It was one of the biggest fines ever given in the energy sector.
GDF Suez also grew by merging with other companies. In 2010, it combined its international energy business with International Power. This created the world's largest independent power producer. GDF Suez later bought the remaining shares of International Power in 2012.
GDF Suez Becomes Engie (2015-Present)
On April 24, 2015, GDF Suez changed its name to "Engie". This new name was chosen to show the company's focus on the future of energy. It also aimed to help the company grow more internationally.
Engie started to focus more on renewable energy. In 2015, it bought 95% of Solairedirect, a solar energy company. This greatly increased Engie's solar power production.
In 2019, Engie bought a large part of Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG) in Brazil. This company owns Brazil's biggest natural gas pipeline system. This deal helped Engie grow its energy infrastructure business.
In 2021, Engie changed its structure. It created four main businesses: Renewables, Energy Solutions, Networks, and Thermal & Supply. It also created a new company called Equans. This company brought together all of Engie's technical services. Later in 2021, Engie sold Equans to another company, Bouygues.
In 2023, Engie bought Broad Reach Power. This is a company in Houston that stores battery energy.
Engie's Strategy
Changing Engie's Business Focus
Since 2014, Engie has been changing its main business goals. It is reducing its focus on fossil fuels like oil and coal. Instead, it is investing a lot in renewable energy sources. These include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric power. Engie also invests in services that help use energy more efficiently.
In 2015, Engie announced it would stop building new coal power plants. It also planned to sell off €15 billion worth of assets. This money would then be reinvested into projects that produce less carbon. Engie also decided to invest €22 billion in renewable energy and energy services.
In 2016, Engie's strategy was defined by three main ideas:
- Decarbonized energy: Using less oil and coal, and more renewable energy and natural gas, which produce fewer greenhouse gases.
- Decentralized energy: Producing and storing energy closer to where it is used.
- Digitized energy: Using technology and data to make energy use more efficient.
Engie also started "Engie Fab" to develop new ideas. This includes smart grids, the Internet of Things, green transportation, and energy storage. Between 2016 and 2018, Engie invested €15 billion in these new activities. This was paid for by selling its coal and oil and gas businesses.
Plans for 2019-2021
In 2019, Engie announced its plan to become a world leader in "zero-carbon transition." This means helping the world move towards energy that produces no carbon emissions. The plan included investing even more in renewable energy. It also focused on providing valuable services to customers.
Engie announced it would completely stop all coal activities. It planned to invest another €12 billion in renewable energy projects. This would add 9 gigawatts (GW) of new power production capacity. The goal is to reach a total renewable capacity of 52 to 64 GW by 2026.
Engie also wants to develop "energy transition as a service." This means helping large companies and cities reduce their carbon emissions. Engie believes this could be a huge new industry.
The company also decided to focus its activities. It plans to leave 20 of the 70 countries where it operates. Instead, it will focus on 20 key countries and 30 major cities, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Engie's Operations
Generating Power
Engie generates electricity in many places around the world.
Power in France
In France, Engie is the second-largest electricity producer. It is behind EDF. A lot of Engie's power in France comes from sources that don't produce CO2. These include hydroelectricity (power from water) and wind power. Engie has been investing a lot in wind farms. The company also operates a natural gas power plant in Dunkirk. It is also developing new gas-fired power plants and a solar panel project.
International Power Generation
Engie also generates electricity in many other countries. It is a leading producer in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is also the largest non-government power producer in Brazil and Thailand.
The company generates electricity using different types of plants. These include thermal power, nuclear power, cogeneration (producing heat and power at the same time), wind farms, hydroelectric, and biomass. Engie is also developing a large nuclear power plant in Sinop, Turkey.
In 2016, Engie made an agreement with a Moroccan energy company, Nareva. They plan to develop new energy projects in North and West Africa. These projects aim to produce 5,000 to 6,000 megawatts of power between 2020 and 2025.
In 2017, Engie was awarded a contract for a new power project in Saudi Arabia. This will be the most efficient cogeneration plant in the country.
Moving Away from Coal
In October 2015, Engie announced it would no longer build coal-fired power plants. This was a big step towards reducing carbon emissions. Engie stopped projects for new coal plants in Turkey and South Africa. It also sold its shares in coal power plants in Indonesia and India.
In May 2016, Engie said it would gradually stop using coal for power. This included closing or selling its share in the Hazelwood power plant in Australia. This plant closed in March 2017. In February 2019, Engie announced it would completely exit all coal activities.
Renewable Energy Sources
Engie is strongly committed to renewable energy. By the end of 2016, renewable sources made up 19.5% of its energy production. Engie uses hydropower, solar energy, wind power (both onshore and offshore), biomass, and geothermal sources.
Since 2016, Engie has won contracts for many solar and wind projects. These include large solar projects in India and Peru, and wind and solar projects in Mexico. It is also building a 100 MW solar park in South Africa.
Engie has invested in new technologies for renewables. In 2016, it invested in Heliatek, a German company working on organic solar panels. In 2017, Engie took full control of La Compagnie du Vent, a wind energy company. It also bought a 30% share in Unisun, a Chinese solar company.
In Brazil, Engie opened its largest international hydroelectric project in 2016. It is the fourth-largest power plant in Brazil. Engie also built its first international geothermal power plant in Indonesia. In France, it developed the country's first marine geothermal power station in Marseilles.
In February 2019, Engie announced plans to add 9 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2021. This is part of its plan to speed up investments in low-carbon energy. In May 2019, Engie and EDP, a Portuguese power company, announced a joint venture for offshore wind power. They plan to build 1.5 GW of offshore wind projects.
Engie also owns and operates wind farms and gas-fired power stations in South Australia. In June 2023, Engie and Belgium agreed to extend the use of the country's nuclear reactors for 10 years. This decision was made due to the energy situation after the conflict in Ukraine.
Renewable Gas
Engie is involved in the entire process of making biomethane. This is a type of renewable gas. They work with farmers to develop projects and then distribute the gas to customers. Engie plans to invest €2 billion in renewable gas by 2030. They aim to produce 5 TWH of biomethane per year.
Natural Gas Business
Engie is also very active in the natural gas industry. They handle everything from finding and producing gas to distributing it.
- They operate the second-largest gas transportation network in Europe.
- They have the largest gas distribution network in Europe.
- They have the fifth-largest LNG (natural gas cooled to a liquid) supply in the world.
- They are the largest LNG importer in Europe.
- They are the second-largest LNG terminal operator in Europe.
In 2016, Engie made new agreements for gas supply around the world. This included deals with Ukraine and the Caribbean. Engie also used one of its special ships, the Neptune, to deliver LNG to Turkey's first floating LNG import terminal.
In China, Engie is exploring ways to store gas underground to meet seasonal demand. In 2017, Engie sold its licenses for shale gas exploration in the UK. This was part of its plan to move away from fossil fuels.
Energy Services
Engie provides many services to help people use energy more efficiently and protect the environment. About 90,000 of Engie's employees work in these services.
- Engineering: They offer advice, studies, and project management.
- Installations and Maintenance: They handle electrical systems, industrial maintenance, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
- Energy Services: They help with energy efficiency, maintenance, and managing facilities.
- Housing Services: They help improve energy performance in homes and use renewable energy for heating.
- Smart City: They develop urban heating and cooling systems and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
- Microgrids: They create local energy production and consumption systems, especially for isolated areas.
- Green Mobility: They work with alternative fuels like natural gas and hydrogen. They also set up charging stations for electric vehicles.
In March 2017, Engie bought EVBox, a company that supplies electric vehicle charging stations. Engie also won a 50-year contract to manage the energy for Ohio State University in the United States. This is one of the largest university campuses in the country.
Student Accommodation
In 2019, Engie won a contract from the University of Leicester in the UK. They will develop new student homes and renovate old buildings. They will also build a car park and a new teaching center.
Who Owns Engie?
Engie is owned by many different groups.
- The French state owns 23.64% of the company.
- BlackRock owns 5.02%.
- Caisse des dépôts et consignations owns 1.83%.
- CNP Assurances owns 0.99%.
- Employees of the company own 3.97%.
- The general public and other investors own 63.57%.
- The company itself holds 0.98% of its own shares.
How Engie is Organized
Business Units
In April 2019, Engie changed how its businesses are organized. It now has four main business lines: Thermal, Infrastructures, Customer Solutions, and Renewables. Engie also created Engie Impact. This part of the company helps its largest clients with their energy strategies.
Engie also organizes its business by geography and by specific activities:
- There are 11 geographic units for different regions like Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.
- There are 8 units focused on France, dealing with things like gas transport and distribution.
- There are 5 global units for things like exploration, LNG, and energy management.
Main Subsidiaries
Engie has several important companies that operate under its umbrella:
- GrDF: This is Engie's gas distribution company in France. It builds, operates, and maintains the gas network. It delivers natural gas to customers.
- Engie Cofely: This company focuses on energy efficiency and environmental services.
- Engie IT: This is Engie's IT (Information Technology) company. It manages all of Engie's computer systems and technology.
Key Facts and Figures
- Total Money Earned (Revenue): €60.1 billion (in 2019)
- Where the Money Comes From (by Region):
* Europe: €47.3 billion * Latin America: €5.3 billion * North America: €4.5 billion * Asia and Oceania: €1.7 billion * Middle East: €1 billion * Africa: €0.2 billion
- How the Money is Earned (by Activity):
* Client Solutions: €21 billion * Networks: €6.6 billion * Thermal: €4.0 billion * Renewable Energy: €2.7 billion * Other activities: €25.8 billion
- Total Power Production Capacity: 104.3 GW in 2018.
* Natural gas: 55% * Renewables: 27% * Coal: 7% * Nuclear: 6% * Other: 5%
- Electricity Produced: 420 TWh in 2018
- Number of Employees: 171,100
- Employees by Region:
* Europe: 137,200 * Latin America: 14,300 * Asia and Oceania: 6,700 * North America: 6,300 * Africa: 3,500 * Middle East: 3,100
- Employees by Activity:
* Client Solutions: 119,350 * Networks: 22,500 * Other activities: 19,450 * Thermal: 5,200 * Renewable Energy: 4,600
How Engie is Managed
Engie is led by a team of top executives. The current CEO is Catherine MacGregor, who started in January 2021. The Chairman is Bankole Cardoso.
The company also has an executive committee. This group helps make important decisions. It includes leaders for different parts of the business, like finance, human resources, and digital systems.
Engie is also overseen by a board of directors. This board has 13 members. Some are appointed by shareholders, some represent the French government, and some represent the employees. The board has special committees that focus on things like finances, ethics, and strategy.
See also
- European Distributed Energy Partnership
- Green Charge Networks
