02/21/2025
In December 2024, nine out of ten people in France considered energy to be a major concern. Accompanied by two journalists, Anabelle and Gaspard, Isabelle Patrier, Director of TotalEnergies France, explores some of the Company’s sites to answer the following question: How can we support the people of France in their energy transition while ensuring the country’s energy security?
Service stations: more than just fuel
TotalEnergies has a strong local presence. Historically associated with service stations, the Company currently operates 3,300 in France, a third of them in rural areas. In some regions where shops have closed, these service stations have become genuine local hubs of activity, like the Dému service station in the Gers department, which offers a wide range of services (post office, grocery store, tire sales, etc.).
The Company’s aim is to bolster its proximity to the population by ensuring that 90% of them can reach a service station in less than 15 minutes.
TotalEnergies is making a long-term commitment to protect its customers from rising fuel prices. With this in mind, a price shield was introduced, capping the price at €1.99 at service stations throughout France. Last summer, an additional cap of €1.94 for gas and electricity customers was also brought in.
100% electric service stations: supporting our customers’ transition to electric vehicles
Let’s turn to Marseille, where TotalEnergies inaugurated its first 100% electric service station in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. This model, already rolled out in Paris, Montpellier, Rouen and Lille, can charge a battery to 80% in less than 20 minutes, giving a range of over 100 km in just 6 minutes. These facilities are part of the Company’s strategy to support the use of electric vehicles, complementing the 245 service stations already equipped with charging stations, with a target of 500 by 2030.
At a time when 95% of vehicles still run on petrol or diesel, TotalEnergies is helping its customers to make the transition to electric vehicles by gradually equipping its service stations, including those on major motorways.
At the same time, TotalEnergies spends a billion euros a year on research, the vast majority of which–almost two-thirds–is devoted to low-carbon energies, recycling, battery optimization and improved charging technologies. These investments actively support the energy transition and facilitate access to it for all our customers.
Renewable energy: the common thread of transition in the territories
TotalEnergies places renewable energies at the heart of its energy transition strategy, working closely with local communities.
In the Marne region, the Vents de la Moivre wind farm–TotalEnergies' largest in France–supplies power to up to 80,000 inhabitants, thanks to its 18 wind turbines 84 meters in height. This project, like others, was born of constant dialogue with local stakeholders.
In addition to mainland France, the overseas territories are also involved in this dynamic. On Réunion Island, a wind farm supplies power to half of the island’s service stations, 19 of which are already equipped with charging stations. Electricity is generated from renewable sources, notably solar and wind power.
TotalEnergies also carries out wind, solar and hydroelectric projects throughout France, in partnership with local authorities and the farming community. Agrivoltaics, for example, illustrate this desire to support farmers in their own energy transition.
With an installed capacity of 2 GW (the equivalent of two nuclear reactors), TotalEnergies is now one of the top three producers of renewable electricity in France. This electricity notably powers charging points at service stations, contributing to the decarbonization of transport.
Beyond their environmental impact, these projects generate local economic benefits (through tax revenue) and create jobs, reinforcing the foundational role of renewable energy in local communities.
La Mède: a symbol of sustainable industrial conversion
Located near Marseille, La Mède is emblematic of the industrial transformation undertaken by TotalEnergies. Built almost a century ago, this former refinery was converted into France’s first world-scale biorefinery, thanks to an investment of over 330 million euros.
Today, the site recycles used oils and waste to produce biofuel, used as a substitute for CO2-emitting fossil fuels. The process involves several stages: pre-treating the oil, hydro-isomerization, then the production of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a fuel distributed to service stations.
The use of biofuels is not limited to private vehicles; TotalEnergies is also developing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). In Toulouse, Airbus’ Beluga aircraft already use these fuels for their flights across Europe. Since January 2025, a European regulation requires that kerosene used for commercial flights contain 2% sustainable aviation fuel.
Transforming Skills
This industrial transformation is accompanied by changing professions. Refinery operators are trained in biorefinery technologies, and a dedicated training center has been set up on site to support employees, partners and subcontractors in this transition.
Of TotalEnergies’ six refineries in France, three have been transformed, illustrating a commitment to preserving local jobs while adapting to climate challenges.
At the same time, TotalEnergies has invested nearly a billion euros in renewable energies in France in 2024, particularly in solar and wind power, recycling and biomethanization in partnership with the farming community. La Mède embodies a circular approach, where clean energy production is fully integrated into the local environment.
