New Managing Director of Siemens Energy France shares her vision for the energy transition

In an exclusive interview at Enlit Europe 2023, Yara Chakhtoura, the new Managing Director of Siemens Energy France, tells Jonathan Spencer Jones about her ambitions as well as the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in France and the role Siemens Energy is playing.

Outlining her vision for the company and the energy transition in the country, she emphasises key priorities as consolidating Siemens Energy's legacy business and accompanying customers towards decarbonisation and developing new business in offshore wind and grid technologies, including accelerating the production of hydrogen.

Turning to France, specific challenges she mentions include scaling up projects, accelerating permitting and simplifying the project administrative processes.

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“Discussions are happening at various levels … ultimately it's about how we deliver on our targets in the fastest and most efficient way.”

Chakhtoura highlights the importance of hydrogen in the transition, calling for policies to make it more attractive to off-takers and for investment in infrastructure.

She also believes that the North Sea can play a crucial role in Europe's climate fight by deploying a carbon-neutral energy system based on offshore wind farms and HVDC connections.

"An entire energy ecosystem is being created around the North Sea and will be a driving force to ensure that Europe reaches the net zero target by 2050."

Watch the full interview for more energy transition insights.

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