Alternative Energy

Building on our existing capabilities and culture

Total is already an electricity producer through our equity interests in various facilities, including the Taweelah power and desalination cogeneration plant in the United Arab Emirates. Each year, our specialized teams in Europe buy and sell significant amounts of electricity.

We have also demonstrated our ability to branch out into new, highly technological energy businesses and to design, build and operate large-scale plants in a number of countries, building on a diversified pool of capabilities. We have recognized expertise in managing complex, long and very-long-term, capital-intensive projects.

Timeframes in the nuclear power industry are similar to those in the oil and gas industry. Ten years can elapse between project sanction and the commissioning of a plant designed, in the case of third-generation rectors, to be operated for 60 years before being dismantled. Plant construction, operation and decommissioning are subject to stringent regulations and very strict inspections by independent safety authorities.

Early projects

Our investment capacities and our mastery of complex projects management are reals assets to gain access to deciding projects.

First step of this strategy : our acquirement of a 8,33% interest, alongside with EDF and other European electrical operators, in the consortium in charge of developing the EPR reactor (European Pressurized Reactor) in Penly (France).In this way, we have the opportunity to gain expertise with top-ranking partners and to show a first reference work.