Virya Energy and Léon Grosse Finalize Agreement for the Acquisition of Sunopée by Virya Energy

Virya Energy expands its presence in France

With the acquisition of 100% of Sunopée, Virya Energy takes a significant step in its growth strategy in the French renewable energy market.

This acquisition acts as a major accelerator in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector in France. The complementary expertise and project portfolios of both companies enable Virya Energy to offer an expanded and comprehensive range of solutions. Virya Energy is pleased to welcome the Sunopée team, who will remain onboard to drive the ambitious growth of the Virya Energy Group within the C&I segment in France. The company will now operate under the Virya Energy brand.

Sunopée: a leading player in decentralized photovoltaics

With nearly 100 MWp of projects in advanced stages and over 300 MWp in development, Sunopée boasts a strong and promising portfolio.

Now part of Virya Energy, Sunopée continues its commitment to delivering value to its clients. This acquisition preserves Sunopée’s unique expertise, blending extensive construction experience with photovoltaic know-how to optimize the use of underutilized spaces (buildings, parking lots, and degraded land) from design through to operations, including dedicated installation teams.

With Virya Energy’s support, Sunopée is expanding its portfolio of technical solutions and bolstering its financing capabilities to serve its clients’ energy transition goals better.

Léon Grosse maintains its commitment to environmental and energy transition

Committed to advancing environmental and energy transitions in the construction sector, Léon Grosse launched Sunopée in 2020 with a small team and the aim of delivering a dual expertise—construction and energy—in a holistic project approach. Dedicated to decentralized photovoltaics, Sunopée has established a unique position in the C&I sector.

As part of its strategic plan, Léon Grosse sought a partner to further develop Sunopée. The company identified Virya Energy as a partner that, beyond technical expertise and financial capacity, shares its values.

Léon Grosse continues its commitment to environmental transition by focusing on energy renovation through its brands IRIS (residential) and Horizen (tertiary buildings) and on renewable heat production via its subsidiary Voé (biomass and geothermal).

Virya Energy and Léon Grosse: toward a strategic partnership

Under this agreement, Virya Energy and Léon Grosse are looking to develop a long-term strategic partnership:

Statements

Paul Tummers, CEO of Virya Energy: "The addition of Sunopée to Virya Energy is an excellent opportunity for both companies. Our strategies are perfectly aligned, and we have much to learn from each other. Sunopée’s C&I solar expertise will be a valuable asset to Virya Energy’s renewable project portfolio, while we offer Sunopée an environment conducive to its continued growth. Together, we are well-positioned to accelerate the energy transition in the French market."

Nicolas Bouley, Managing Director of Sunopée: "Our construction DNA combined with Virya Energy’s energy expertise brings unique advantages to Sunopée’s clients in the decentralized solar market in France."

Olivier Crillon, Managing Director of the Léon Grosse Group: "The Léon Grosse Group has given Sunopée a unique position with a dual construction-energy expertise that sets it apart. Within our group, Sunopée has proven the relevance of its offerings and the strength of its model. By joining Virya Energy, a leading European player in renewable energy, Sunopée is well-equipped to continue its development and achieve its full potential."

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About

Virya Energy

Virya Energy is active in the development, financing, and operation of projects in the field of energy transition. The company, based in Belgium, was founded at the end of 2019 by Colruyt Group and its majority shareholder, Korys.

Virya Energy is active across the entire value chain of sustainable energy. This includes the production of green energy in Europe through its subsidiaries Eoly Energy and Eurowatt, in Asia through its subsidiary Sanchore and a majority stake in Constant Energy, and energy distribution through its subsidiary DATS24. Virya Energy is also involved in the development of sustainable hydrogen projects through Virya H2. The company holds interests in service providers to the offshore industry, including GeoXYZ, DotOcean, and Marlinks.

Sunopée

Now integrated into Virya Energy, Sunopée excels in developing photovoltaic solutions for commerce, industry, logistics, and communities in service of the energy transition. Specializing in solar self-consumption, it enables its clients to implement and finance sustainable solutions through third-party investment models. With a legacy in sustainable construction, Sunopée seamlessly integrates photovoltaic installations with building projects, positioning itself as a leader in providing innovative and responsible energy solutions.

Groupe Léon Grosse

A diversified construction and civil engineering group, Léon Grosse is committed to responsible building, accelerating environmental and societal transitions, and nurturing sustainable urban development. With a mission to make a positive impact, Léon Grosse empowers its 2,800 employees across Europe to create a legacy of which they can be proud. In 2023, Léon Grosse achieved revenues of €940 million across its five sectors: Construction, Energy Transition & Renovation, Facades, Real Estate, and Heritage. www.leongrosse.fr