Energy Tour de France 2026

At the start of the month, our Master in Global Energy Transition and Governance students set off on a week-long mini Tour de France (by train, not by bike!) to visit several different institutions and companies working in the energy sector in France.

On the Monday, the group spent the day in Paris, first visiting Hitachi, where they received a presentation from Thierry Plouvier, Country Manager, Olivier Codou, Sales Tender Manager, Priyanka Vieira, Global Head of Government Relations, Anne Savy, HR Director, and Andrea Teufel, Construction and Commissioning Tender Manager and CIFE Alumna. They discussed the context of the company and how it maintains High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grids, before visiting the workshop with Felix Bayle, Project Manager.

In the afternoon, the students went to the EDF Foundation to learn more about their just transition actions from Carine de Boissezon, Chief Impact Officer, and visit their on-site exhibition “Alter Ego Holo” with Alexandre Perra.

On the following day, still in Paris, the students discovered the innovative approach of REN21 to the renewables-based economy thanks to Andrea Wainer and the knowledge and data sustainability team.

Later, during a visit to the International Energy Agency, they received a briefing on energy security in times of crisis, electrification and critical minerals from Lee Bailey, Strategic Media Relations Manager, Eleonore Carré and Alessio Scanziani, both Energy Security Analysts.

Travelling south, the students visited the Tricastin nuclear power plant near Avignon to learn more about the workings of the plant and its role in the French energy grid.

Finally, the group headed to the City of Marseille municipality, where they were welcomed by Catherine Lauranson, Mission Climate 2030, the international and European relations, climate and energy departments, who presented the challenges of the city’s energy strategy.

Thank you to all those who contributed to the organisation of the trip, as well as the speakers throughout the week. The students are now back in Nice for the final term!