A decade of change: ENGIE and the path to energy transition

In 2015, the Paris Climate Agreement was adopted, awareness of the climate crisis grew – and GDF Suez became ENGIE. The world looked different a decade ago. But the crucial questions were already being asked back then: How can climate protection and a secure energy supply be reconciled? And what responsibility comes with technological progress?

Today, ENGIE is more than just a company. What defines us is a clear vision of how the energy transition can succeed. This anniversary is an opportunity to look back – and to look ahead with clarity.

Looking back: How it all began

For ten years, the name ENGIE has stood for change in the energy sector. However, the story behind it goes back much further. It begins with the dawn of industrialization, major infrastructure projects, and profound changes. Over the years, this has developed into our current focus.

Industrial beginnings in northern Europe

ENGIE's roots lie in 19th-century Belgium, amid the industrial revolution. Gas and electricity projects are shaping the rapid transformation of cities and infrastructure. Energy is becoming a driver of economic development and social progress. In this environment, the desire to combine technical innovations with practical applications develops early on.

Major infrastructure projects and international connections

Parallel to industrial developments in Europ, infrastructure projects of global significance were emerging in the Mediterranean region. The construction of the Suez Canal was one such project. It connected Europe with Asia and the Middle East and brought about lasting changes in economic relations. A new understanding of reach and networking emerged here for the further development of the energy sector – long before ENGIE became visible as a global player.

Energy for growing cities

At the end of the 19th century, energy became tangible in urban areas. The electrically illuminated World's Fair in Paris and the illuminated Eiffel Tower marked the breakthrough of electricity. Cities grew and new ways of living and working emerged. Companies such as Société Lyonnaise des Eaux et Éclairage built gas and electricity networks and secured the supply of modern metropolises. Energy thus became an integral part of everyday life.

Reconstruction and security of supply

After World War II, France faced the task of rebuilding. Energy became a strategic resource, and the state reorganized the sector and nationalized it in 1946. This meant a fundamental upheaval for the gas industry. Many local structures were replaced by new organizations, and supply was planned and expanded centrally. In the 1950s, the discovery of large natural gas reserves accelerated the development of a nationwide network. By the 1970s at the latest, the importance of adaptability became apparent: new import routes and storage capacities were needed to ensure long-term security of supply. These experiences continue to shape how change and dependencies are dealt with today.

These developments gave rise to two major energy players in France and Europe: Gaz de France and Suez.

A new player in the liberalized energy market

The 2000s fundamentally changed the European energy market. Business areas were unbundled and structures reorganized. Gaz de France realigned itself, while Suez developed into an international energy company through targeted acquisitions. In 2008, these developments culminated in the merger of the two groups. GDF Suez emerged as a new player, combining size, experience, and international presence.

The path towards the energy transition

At the beginning of the 2010s, the Group continues to grow and strengthen its international presence. At the same time, the global context is undergoing fundamental change. Climate change and decarbonization are becoming the focus of political and social debate. Investments in renewable energies are gaining importance, the portfolio is broadening, and the strategic orientation is becoming clearer.

 

2015–2025: Ten years of ENGIE

The new name reflects the aspiration to no longer view climate protection as an add-on, but as a starting point. In the years that followed, this attitude translated into concrete action. Structures changed, new units were created, and ENGIE also showed a united front in Germany.

Later, a specific goal comes to the fore: climate neutrality. As a task, not a promise. In 2020, ENGIE enshrines this mission in its articles of association: to accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral economy and combine economic performance with a positive impact on people and the environment.

The next step followed a year later. ENGIE ended investments in coal, plans to phase out this energy source by 2027, and is committed to becoming climate neutral by 2045. These are decisions that make the mission concrete—and keep it verifiable in the long term.

Who drives change: people

150 years of history. Ten years of ENGIE. And one strong connection: people. Because the energy transition is not an abstract concept. It takes shape where people plan, build, operate, and take responsibility. Employees, customers, suppliers, and partners form the backbone of this development. ENGIE's strength lies in its local roots. Because the energy transition is largely taking place at the local level.

Value creation is consciously thought through. It is reflected not only in figures, but also in jobs, in the development of industries, in investments in the energy transition, and in an energy supply that remains affordable and accessible.

Today, ENGIE stands for the aspiration to enable progress without losing sight of people. And that is precisely where the power lies to shape change and make it sustainable.

Looking ahead

What the future means at ENGIE is evident in everyday work. In the ideas, questions, and convictions of the people working on the energy transition. Three of them provide insight into their personal visions of the future.

A benchmark for the energy transition

ENGIE's history shows that change rarely follows a straight path but pays off when decisions are made with the long term in mind. From its industrial beginnings, infrastructure development, and strategic realignments, a company has emerged that today has a clear position: at the intersection of security of supply, climate protection, and social responsibility.

What remains is a task. The energy transition is a process that must be reviewed daily. The goal of climate neutrality is a benchmark for decisions, investments, and impact. ENGIE will continue to be measured against this benchmark in the coming years—in terms of consistency, implementation, and whether progress remains tangible for everyone.