The green industry is weathering the crisis: renewable energies are showing strong growth

A strategic turning point, which marks the end of an initial wave of major investments in the battery and electric vehicle sector, and the enthusiasm for green kerosene and offshore wind power, which are driving the momentum of the renewable energy sector.

All this in a context of good overall health of the green industry, which closes a record year in 2025 in terms of number of projects (463) with €24,5 billion invested.

In its map of France showing announcements of private investments linked to projects in favor of the climate transition, the Arthur Loyd Barometer highlights the most attractive departments in this area.

84% of the invested amounts are concentrated in just 20 departments. The Atlantic coast and the northern part of the country stand out. At the same time, more scattered investments can be seen in the former Alsace-Moselle region, in the southwestern quarter of the country, as well as in the departments of Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône, which rely in particular on sectors of excellence.

60% of the invested volumes are located outside major metropolitan areas, confirming the crucial role of "peripheral France" at the heart of green reindustrialization.

2025, a new dynamic year despite the economic situation

• €24,5 billion invested in climate transition sectors in 2025, a stable level over one year (+1%).
• Record year in number of projects: 463 operations, compared to 411 in 2024 (+13%).
• Dynamic driven by small and medium-sized projects: 268 operations under €10 million and 132 between €10 and €50 million.
• Renewable energy sources account for 58% of investment, ahead of recycling and waste management (35%, which is increasing). The electric battery sector is falling to 3% of the volume (25% in 2024).

For Cevan Torossian, Director of the Studies & Research department of Arthur Loyd: “The overall stability of investment amounts actually masks a deeper transformation of the market, with funds being reallocated primarily towards the renewable energy, recycling, and waste sectors. Furthermore, the green industrial transition is not driven solely by a few massive investments, but by a proliferation of industrial initiatives spread across the country. We are entering a diffusion phase, with more projects of a more modest scale. At a time when some traditional industrial sectors are affected by the deteriorating economic climate, the very strong performance of the green industry is good news for the French economy and its regions.”

The new map of green industry in France

Distribution of investments in green industries by major regions in 2025

In 2025, €24,5 billion in investments were recorded across 463 announcements, demonstrating a particularly strong level of activity. In this context, Nouvelle-Aquitaine stands out clearly, achieving record performance in both financial volume and number of projects, confirming its attractiveness and its ability to attract investment flows.

Amounts invested in sectors related to the climate transition in 2025

89 departments affected by investments in sectors related to the climate transition in 2025

The investment announcements made in 2025 for green industries reinforce the leading role of certain already well-positioned regions, while also revealing the growing influence of previously less prominent areas. This gradual restructuring is shaping a new industrial geography of energy transition, where productive heritage, available land, logistics infrastructure, and traditional industrial ecosystems play a decisive role.

Top 10 departments - amounts invested in sectors related to the climate transition (2025)

1. The North confirms its leading position

By 2025, the Nord department has announced nearly €2,5 billion in investments, representing approximately 10% of the annual national total. Since 2019, the department has accumulated nearly €16 billion in investments in green sectors, confirming its role as a driving force in the green industry.

Conversely, Pas-de-Calais, which had concentrated a significant share of the "megaprojects" related to the battery sector in recent years, falls out of the top 10 in 2025, due to a lack of new, significant announcements in this segment. This decline reflects the completion of an expansion phase and the commissioning of the first delivered gigafactories, a trend observed nationwide.

2. Vienna is establishing itself as an attractive region

With nearly €1,5 billion in announcements in 2025, Vienne has risen to second place nationally, registering a spectacular increase compared to 2024. This result is primarily driven by the announcement of a major project led by Sorégies in Poitiers, aiming to double the group's renewable energy production (70% wind, 20% solar, and 10% hydroelectric). This "megaproject" alone repositions the department among the most visible regions of the year and illustrates the ability of certain departments to scale up their efforts through structuring investments in low-carbon sectors.

3. Seine-Maritime confirms its green industrial base

With €1,49 billion invested by 2025, Seine-Maritime is consolidating its strategic role in the green industry. Already well-positioned in 2024, the department is demonstrating its ability to transform its industrial and port heritage into a competitive advantage in green sectors (energy, low-carbon logistics, industrial transformation). The presence of the HAROPA port supports this momentum more than ever. This consistent high ranking reflects a well-established structural dynamic, rather than a temporary one.

4. Loire-Atlantique is capitalizing on an already structured ecosystem

With €1,48 billion announced for 2025, Loire-Atlantique ranks 4th nationally. Maintaining its position in the top 5 reflects the strength of a diverse ecosystem, combining industry, innovation, and port infrastructure. The department thus confirms its leading role on the Atlantic coast, attracting capital-intensive projects linked to new energy and industrial value chains.

5. The Landes region is changing in size

With €1,4 billion in investments announced for 2025, the Landes region has reached a milestone and entered the national top five. This achievement is largely driven by Verso Energy's major project, which plans to establish a sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) production facility in the area. While the department remains less densely populated and less industrialized than other established hubs, it possesses key advantages that make it a credible location for large-scale, low-carbon industrial projects.

6. Bouches-du-Rhône confirms its strategic Mediterranean role

With €1,34 billion projected for 2025, Bouches-du-Rhône ranks 6th nationally. Thanks to its port and energy infrastructure, the department remains a key hub for industrial and energy decarbonization sectors. The region's strong performance is largely due to the momentum of maritime activities and the deployment of offshore renewable energy, which reinforce the strategic role of the industrial-port zone in the value chains of the energy transition. Its consistent presence at the top of the rankings underscores the centrality of this ecosystem to national decarbonization strategies.

7. Hérault is establishing itself as a key player in the landscape of attractive territories

With €1,22 billion in investments, the Hérault department confirms its sustained momentum. Its significant improvement compared to 2024 reflects a renewed attractiveness, linked to projects combining technological innovation and energy transition. The department exemplifies the rise of regional metropolitan areas by 2025 – Montpellier in this case – capable of attracting substantial capital to green sectors.

8. Morbihan makes a spectacular breakthrough

Ranked 8th with €1,15 billion in 2025, Morbihan has achieved one of the most significant improvements in the rankings. This leap reflects the arrival of major infrastructure projects that are repositioning the department on the national map of climate transition investments. This momentum confirms that the green transition is no longer solely concentrated around traditional industrial hubs.

9. South Corsica consolidates its national visibility

With €800 million announced, South Corsica maintains a significant presence in the top 10. While the amounts are lower than those of major industrial departments, their relative importance at the local level is considerable. This performance reflects an ability to attract projects tailored to the island's specific characteristics, particularly in the energy and environmental sectors.

10. Mayenne closes the ranking but confirms a dynamic of anchoring

Ranked 10th with €784 million in investments by 2025, Mayenne closes out the top 10 while registering an increase compared to 2024. This position illustrates the territorial expansion of investments related to the climate transition. Even at a lower level than the national leaders, these amounts reflect the growing importance of intermediate industrial regions in the new low-carbon value chains.

Peripheral France at the heart of green reindustrialization

In 2025, industrial investment projects in green sectors will still be predominantly located outside the Île-de-France region and major regional metropolitan areas: 60% of them are situated in these territories. Apart from the underperformance observed in 2020, this trend has remained stable since 2019. Areas with lower urban density are once again confirming their attractiveness to major industrial clients. However, a notable development is emerging in 2025: major regional metropolitan areas are regaining ground. Their market share is increasing year-on-year to reach 34%, compared to a historical average of 27%. This shift reflects a partial rebalancing between key urban areas and more peripheral regions.

For Cevan Torossian, Director of the Studies & Research department of Arthur Loyd: “France confirms its attractiveness to national and international industrial players. The diversity of its territories, the quality of its employment pools, and secure access to energy resources are key strengths. However, the implementation of projects remains contingent on a broader equation: site accessibility, the capacity of public services to absorb new residents, local housing policies, etc. Moreover, reindustrialization is not limited to the return of factories: it generates significant real estate needs, whether for production facilities, warehouses for logistics, or offices for engineering and management functions. While the exclusion of large projects from the calculation of land artificialization sends a positive signal, a more ambitious easing of regulatory constraints will be essential to accelerate the development of sustainable industrial ecosystems.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.