Zelya Energy with its ZEN network, harnesses Côte d’Azur sunshine to create a set-up a new renewable energy pool of expertise.

Set-up by specialists from the mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and oil & gas utilities sectors, energy strategy and investment management consultants, Zeyla Energy, has made its mark on a niche market. The firm’s small team of experts is backed by top level partners regrouped in the ZEN (Zelya Energy Network) network and providing services to investment funds and gas and electricity groups, as well as to French and international industrial players who are diversifying into the energy sector. The company, which also has offices in Paris, decided to transfer its headquarters to Nice, marking TEAM’s first first Energy investment. This sector is currently stimulated by the Plaine du Var OIN -Operation of National Interest-, an environment oriented territorial development project.

3 questions to Florie Mazzorana-Kremer, who heads up Zelya Energy 

1. What is the firm’s specialty and expertise and how is the company positioned?

We are experts in the gas and electricity fields, particularly in renewable energies such as solar, biomass and wind. These sectors are undergoing rapid change. These are fast evolving areas with markets only recently opened in Europe and which are now being privatized and deregulated whilst enormous investment needs must also be met. And all of that requires specialist skills as well as people who know the market inside out and who are up-to-date with the latest market regulations and valuation techniques. Hence the importance of our ZEN network, which includes the leading specialists in Europe, the USA and Russia. 

2. Why did you decide to relocate to the Côte d’Azur?

The Côte d’Azur offers both an attractive lifestyle as well as an international airport and a pool of qualified people, which are three key elements to building a team of experts. From a real estate standpoint, we’re able to have top class offices at very competitive rates compared to an equivalent Paris location. And finally, the region’s easy access to international markets and to the Middle East in particular, is absolutely essential for us.

3. What are your goals for the Côte d’Azur site and for growing the business?

We plan to establish a skills cluster here and to develop state-of-the-art tools for the renewable energy sector (price forecasting models, tools to assist investment decisions and sector surveillance. We will start out with a five-strong team in Nice, which we plan to expand to around 15 people in three years time. Our team will have a high percentage of experts but we also plan to hire young recruits whom we’ll train in our methods. The region’s prestigious schools such as the ‘Ecole des Mines de Paris’ at Sophia Antipolis and CERAM will ensure that we have a large pool of young talent and skills.

Author: Newsletter Team Côte d'Azur - Kate Leconte