EnerGaïa 2026: 20th edition of the reference renewables event seeking to collectively build the new energy system

Montpellier (France), 1 June 2026 – Following a 19th edition that broke attendance records and saw the mobilisation of the entire renewable energy industry, Forum EnerGaïa today invited professionals to come and celebrate its 20th edition on 9 & 10 December 2026 at Montpellier Exhibition Centre.

Over the space of two decades, EnerGaïa has confirmed its status as the reference tradeshow for renewable energy in France and Europe. More than just an exhibition, the Forum has become a genuine strategic hub where industrial firms, local authorities, developers, investors, institutional stakeholders, researchers and project developers meet to collectively build the energy propositions of the future.

A growth trend confirming the central role of EnerGaïa

The Forum’s 19th edition held on 10 and 11 December 2025 once again confirmed the unavoidable position of EnerGaïa in the European energy landscape. A true bellwether for the sector in France, the event drew more than 22,600 professionals over two days, just as the French government was publishing its draft National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC 3).

With more than 560 exhibitors including 26% from outside France, more than 100 round tables, talks and exhibitor pitches, and the addition of two new halls (to seven in total), the Forum has continued to gather momentum and extend its international reach.

This trend illustrates the show’s continuous growth: EnerGaïa has doubled its number of exhibitors in the space of three years. Already in 2024, the show recorded a 32% increase in attendance, standing at nearly 22,000 participants from 58 countries, with a 60% exhibitor loyalty rate.

Through all the sectors represented – production, storage, distribution, mobility, building, agriculture, industry — EnerGaïa today covers the entire renewable energy value chain and is a uniting force for the ecosystem in all its diversity.

“For this 20th edition, EnerGaïa intends to confirm its role as the go-to platform for renewable energy. Beyond a mere exhibition, the Forum has become a strategic hub where stakeholders come together to tangibly build our energy future. This anniversary edition will feature increased interactions, new business highlights and extended international exposure to foster cooperation and experience feedback from around the world,” says Caroline Gignon, Forum EnerGaïa’s show manager.

2026: “Collectively building the new energy system”

For this anniversary edition, EnerGaïa has unveiled its 2026 signature: “Collectively building the new energy system.”

This tagline reflects the profound transformation that the French and European energy model has already embarked upon. In response to the challenges of decarbonisation, energy independence and community resilience, the aim is not only to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, but to rethink the entire energy system: production, distribution, storage, uses and governance.

Among the key features of this “new energy system” are:

· The growing momentum of renewable energy which is also more decentralised

· The hybridisation of solutions (electric, thermal, gas, hydrogen) that increasingly function in complementarity to one another

· The increased role of communities, industry players and consumers in energy generation and management

· The central status of flexibility, storage and smart grids to guarantee the stability of the system.

Caroline Gignon adds: “We are beginning to see the active construction of an energy system in which renewables are not just a bolt-on component, but one of its structural pillars. This change in scale calls for a collective ability to build a secure, zero-carbon and independent energy system. The transformation will only be possible by mobilising all the industry stakeholders who gather at EnerGaïa: industry players, local authorities, funding bodies, regulators, developers and communities – who control the essential levers to make this construction happen: planning, finance, acceptability and skills. This is the meaning behind the signature of this 20th edition: collectively building the new energy system.”

For its 20th anniversary, EnerGaïa thus confirms its ambition: to be the hub where public and private stakeholders collectively design the French and European energy architecture of the future.

A unique strategic and business-oriented gathering

Over the course of its editions, EnerGaïa has proven to be a springboard for projects and cooperation. The Forum offers professionals:

· An exclusive business space promoting qualified meetings,

· A programme of high-level round tables,

· Tangible experience feedback and operational solutions,

· The presence of the whole renewables value chain, from major corporations to innovative start-ups.

This ability to bring together public decision makers, industry, lenders, developers and communities constitutes the Forum’s singularity and force.

3rd edition of the Innovation Awards (Trophées de l’innovation)

This initiative aims to distinguish practical, bold and replicable solutions developed by the Forum’s exhibitors, placing innovation at the centre of the energy transformation.

Five awards will be made, with four main categories:

• International Award: for a project with high international development potential

• Deployability Award: for a project offering quick and easy implementation

• Ecosystem Award: for an exemplary community or collaborative dynamic

• Circularity Award: for a project incorporating a circular economy component or leading to major advances in this area.

The Occitanie Regional Authority will also present its special Coup de Cœur (Judges’ Pick) award to one of the nominated projects.

Entries will open in mid-June 2026, and exhibitors and co-exhibitors will have until 2 October 2026 to submit their applications.

Nominated exhibitors will be invited to present their innovation at a pitch session during the Forum, prior to the award ceremony which will be held on Thursday 10 December 2026 at the show.

Recognition that accelerates projects

The winners of the Circularity Award at the first edition of the Innovation Awards in 2024, Thevem Energy saw their ECOLOGENE® innovation gain visibility and credibility throughout the ecosystem.

“This distinction immediately reinforced our credibility and brought us additional confidence in our discussions with potential clients and partners. At the show, it generated appointments and qualified contacts that are coming to fruition today, most notably through several sales plans. The innovation that was rewarded in 2024 was even specifically adapted for ENEDIS which has since become a client; with a solution presented at Forum EnerGaïa 2025. This recognition also highlights our commitment to the circular economy and the second life of electric batteries, with a substantially lower environmental impact compared with traditional power generators,” explains the company’s CEO Vincent Théven.

The winners of the Ecosystem Award at the first edition of Forum EnerGaïa’s Innovation Awards, SerenySun were singled out for their project “Notre énergie La Soie”, the largest community renewable energy project in the Lyon metropolitan region, developed in Vaulx-en-Velin in collaboration with the property company INEA around a collective self-consumption model bringing together businesses, public stakeholders and individuals. This inclusive initiative enables professionals and consumers to benefit from locally generate energy at a controlled rate, without investment or installation costs.

“Being acclaimed by a leading show like EnerGaïa is genuine recognition for our model This distinction has reinforced the credibility of the project among local stakeholders who are very proud to see their community in the spotlight, while bringing a lot of media visibility to our approach. It has allowed us to prove that a “short circuit” energy model, both inclusive and frugal, is not only possible but can be replicated in other communities. Since the award, “Notre énergie La Soie” has become a true ambassador project that has supported our development all over France. The project also won the Sustainable Infrastructure Grand Prize at the International Green Solutions Awards at COP30 in Belém. Entering these awards requires time and investment, but plays an essential role in promoting the emergence of tangible innovations to help drive local initiatives,” adds Alice Gaubert, chief development officer at SerenySun Energies.

Launched in the follow-up to these awards, “Notre énergie La Soie” is today fully operational:

· Delivery of the four photovoltaic generators in June 2024, representing installed capacity of 640 kWp

· Start-up of the energy community (collective self-consumption) in February 2025

· Around ten businesses already use the energy generated (tenants of solar-roofed buildings or businesses based nearby)

· Production potential still available, with sales activities actively ongoing.