June 30, 2025
With Equans, the Pays de l’Or is transforming its buildings into drivers of the energy transition!
On Monday, June 30, Stéphan Rossignol, President of the Pays de l’Or Metropolitan Area, and Alain Gros, Director of the Grand Sud region within the Buildings, Infrastructure & Services division of Equans France, in the presence of elected officials from the metropolitan area and teams from Equans France, inaugurated the work completed at the Maison des Enfants site in Mauguio (34), as part of the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) signed in 2023. With a term of eight years, this contract—one of the first of its kind in the Occitanie region—will enable the metropolitan area to reduce its energy consumption by more than 20 percent, representing nearly 200 metric tons of CO₂ avoided per year, the equivalent of driving around the Earth 23 times! More broadly, this contract is part of an ambitious energy transition initiative that the region has been pursuing for several years.
A Landmark Project for Exemplary Public Buildings
Signed for eight years, the Energy Performance Contract covers the renovation of 27 buildings located throughout the Pays de l’Or region: daycare centers, recreation centers, waste collection centers, sports facilities, and administrative buildings. The work, which began in June 2023, aims to thoroughly modernize technical systems, phase out fossil fuels, and sustainably reduce energy consumption. The project has brought together several Equans France entities—Axima, Ineo, and Equans Services Bâtiments & Infrastructures—around a comprehensive performance strategy, spanning from construction to operations.As a powerful symbol of this transformation, two collective self-consumption photovoltaic power plants were installed in the parking lots of the Maison des Enfants and the Culinary Production Unit (UPCI) in Mauguio. In total, 1,900 m² of photovoltaic panels were installed, with a total capacity of 467 kWp. This locally generated electricity powers buildings located up to two kilometers
away, including the Mauguio intermunicipal swimming pool. Together, the two photovoltaic power plants cover 41% of the electricity needs of the Mauguio sites, representing 18% of the annual electricity consumption of the 27 buildings included in the CPE.
Solar power plant installed at the Maison des Enfants in Mauguio (34).
At the same time, four heat pumps and two wood-fired boilers—replacing the old gas-fired heating systems—were installed in two daycare centers (the Pitchouns daycare center in Palavas-les-Flots and the Mouettes daycare center in Carnon), the sports hall, and the Maison des Enfants in Mauguio. These four sites, as well as the Mudaison recycling center, have also switched to LED bulbs to
improve lighting efficiency, and a centralized monitoring system has been deployed to ensure real-time management of energy consumption across all buildings. This system makes it possible to identify any performance discrepancies and optimize daily usage. An awareness program is also being conducted for users, with a particular focus on children and public service employees, to make each site a model for eco-friendly practices.
All of the initiatives carried out by Equans France will enable the Metropolitan Area to reduce its primary energy consumption by more than 20% over the entire term of the contract. In concrete terms, in terms of energy, this corresponds to a reduction of nearly 60% in gas consumption and 20% in electricity consumption relative to final energy consumption.
A Catalyst for Transformation Toward a Resilient Region
This contract is part of a broader commitment led by the Pays de l’Or Metropolitan Area: that of a sustainable region that combines sustainable development, energy efficiency, and quality of life for its residents. It is fully aligned with the objectives set by the Territorial Climate, Air, and Energy Plan (PCAET), a local roadmap to accelerate the energy and climate transition.
By equipping itself with energy-efficient, modern, and smart infrastructure, the Pays de l’Or is affirming its ambition to build a resilient region. This project reflects a shared commitment: to address climate challenges without compromising quality of life, while turning public buildings into educational and exemplary models. The combination of technical expertise, public investment, and
citizen engagement illustrates a concrete model of sustainable transformation at the local level.
“ This energy performance contract perfectly embodies the momentum we are driving in our regional development project: that of a Pays de l’Or firmly committed to the ecological transition. It is not just about investing in modern infrastructure, but about producing concrete results. Reduced energy consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, and local renewable energy production: all these indicators show that our metropolitan area is taking action. In the face of climate change, it is essential to preserve the attractiveness and quality of life of our region, while making it more resilient. ”
“ Through this project, we are reaffirming our role as a key partner to local communities on their path to decarbonization. Equans France is supporting the Pays de l’Or with concrete and sustainable solutions that combine energy efficiency with renewable energy production. The installation of two community-scale solar power plants—whose electricity is consumed locally by buildings located up to two kilometers from the sites—is a prime example of this. This type of system, still rare in France—fewer than 500 to date—demonstrates our ability to innovate and respond closely to the needs of local communities. Thank you to the Pays de l’Or Metropolitan Area for the trust you have placed in us. ”
Key Figures for the Pays de l’Or CPE
Yvon Bourrel, Mayor of Mauguio, Sophie Crampagne, Vice President in charge of Human Resources, Stéphan Rossignol, President of the Pays de l’Or Urban Community and Mayor of La Grande Motte, Sandrine Dubois Lambert, Vice President in charge of Children and Youth, and on the right: Alain Gros, Director of the Grand Sud Region within the Buildings, Infrastructure & Services Division of Equans France.
