Socotec acquires the technical audit activities of 8.2 France and strengthens its position in wind and photovoltaic power

SOCOTEC, leader in wind turbine and photovoltaic inspection in France

SOCOTEC holds a 56% market share in regulatory inspections for onshore and offshore wind power, with more than 6.500 wind turbines inspected each year out of the 9.500 currently installed in France. In the solar photovoltaic market, one in three power plants under construction or in operation is inspected by SOCOTEC, thanks to its significant footprint across the country.

With the acquisition of 8.2 France's technical audit activities, SOCOTEC is pursuing its strategy of strengthening the number of wind and solar experts within its teams. 8.2 France's Technical Audit activities, which work on wind and solar assets in France and abroad, consist of verifying the proper functioning of components and equipment enabling wind and solar farms to operate optimally. These technical inspections are carried out through technical audits at various times during the life of the installations, blade inspections, vibration analyses, and video endoscopies. In addition to adding new talent, the group is expanding its territorial network, now employing more than 80 people to intervene quickly throughout France and develop commercial synergies, consolidating its presence in the growing renewable energy market.

Wind and solar power are fast-growing markets

With governments' desire to act on their energy mix and invest in their energy sovereignty, the global wind and solar market is booming. Thus, between 2024 and 2029, Statista analysts predict global growth of between 40% and 50% in solar and wind electricity production. While hydroelectricity is expected to remain the leading source of renewable electricity by the end of the current decade, combined global wind and solar energy production is expected to soon surpass that of hydropower. In France in 2023, renewable energies represented 15,4% of French primary energy consumption. This share has been steadily increasing for the past ten years. The significant growth in primary renewable energy production since 2005 (+96%) is mainly due to the rise of heat pumps, wind power, biogas, and photovoltaic power. France is the second largest primary producer of renewable energy in Europe in 2022, behind Germany.

For Hervé Montjotin, CEO of the SOCOTEC group: "The integration of the 8.2 France Technical Audits team is perfectly aligned with the strategic vision of SOCOTEC Power Services' renewable energy division, which is to expand our service offering, strengthen our territorial network and continue to strengthen our leadership position in renewable energy inspections in France."