Alterna
Alterna is a Poitiers-based French green energy supplier selling fixed-price electricity, gas, and biogas to residential and professional customers via a mutualist network of ~50 local energy companies and 1,500+ local renewable producers, with a pending acquisition of Vattenfall's French customer base.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersPoitiers, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Alterna does
Alterna is a French alternative energy supplier headquartered in Poitiers that sells green electricity, natural gas, and biogas to residential and professional customers across France under fixed-price contracts regulated by the Commission de régulation de l'énergie. The company operates a distinctive 'circuit court' (short-circuit) energy model that links consumers directly to a nationwide network of more than 1,500 local renewable energy producers — solar, wind, hydro, and methanization — allowing customers to choose the specific production farm that supplies them. Alterna is organized as a mutualist cooperative uniting approximately 50 local energy companies (Entreprises Locales d'Énergie, ELDs) that act as co-shareholders, many of them with histories dating back roughly a century in rural electrification, giving the company territorial presence in zones not directly served by national grid operators Enedis and GRDF.
The product portfolio centers on three residential offers — 'Électricité verte 100% locale' at 10% below the regulated tariff, 'Électricité verte Super Creuse' at 39% below TRV during 15 hours of super off-peak periods per day, and 'Biogaz Zen 1 an' — supplemented by professional electricity and gas offers, an all-inclusive solar self-consumption rental (Autoconsommation Pros) with no upfront investment, more than 100 Power Purchase Agreements, EV charging, and CEE energy-efficiency subsidies. Distribution runs through a self-serve online subscription portal (5-minute onboarding via Linky PRM number), an inside-sales team of 60 customer advisors based in Poitiers, a dedicated USY multi-site management platform for professional accounts, and a Mon Espace Client residential portal. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring kWh-based subscription contracts with 1-2 year fixed pricing, complemented by CEE scheme participation.
In February 2026, Alterna signed an agreement to acquire Vattenfall Energies SA, Vattenfall's French electricity and gas sales subsidiary, which would transfer 175,000 residential contracts, more than 15,000 business customers, 3,000 large accounts including logos such as Apple, Saint-Gobain, Orange, Picard, Kiko, and Oceatruc, and all employees, pending approval from the French Competition and Markets Authority.
Alterna firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alterna
- Legal name
- Alterna Société par Actions Simplifiée
- Website
- https://alterna-energie.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Alterna is a Poitiers-based French green energy supplier selling fixed-price electricity, gas, and biogas to residential and professional customers via a mutualist network of ~50 local energy companies and 1,500+ local renewable producers, with a pending acquisition of Vattenfall's French customer base.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Alterna is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Poitiers
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Alterna business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Electricity supply (particuliers et professionnels): Alterna sells green electricity to residential and professional customers under fixed-price annual contracts. Revenue is generated through subscription fees and per-kWh consumption charges. Prices are fixed for 1 year according to Commission de régulation de l'énergie standards.
- Gas and Biogaz supply: Sale of natural gas and biogas (Biogaz Zen 1 an offer) to residential and professional customers with fixed price for 1 year contracts.
- Energy certificates (CEE) and PPA: Alterna acts as an energy supplier obligated to generate energy savings certificates (Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie). Over 100 Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed. Revenue partially derived from CEE scheme participation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Électricité verte 100% locale - Residential green electricity from local producers |
| Subscription | Annual | Électricité verte Super Creuse - Off-peak green electricity with super off-peak hours |
| Subscription | Annual | Biogaz Zen 1 an - Biogas offer with fixed price |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Électricité verte 100% Française PRO Prix fixe 2 ans - Professional 2-year fixed green electricity |
| Subscription | Annual | Offre super creuse pros - Professional super off-peak electricity |
| Subscription | Annual | Autoconsommation pros - Self-consumption solution for professionals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Alterna product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alterna énergie is a French alternative energy supplier that provides 100% green, locally produced electricity and biogas to residential customers (particuliers) and professional/business customers (TPE, PME, Grands Comptes, collectivités) across France. The company operates a unique short-circuit model that connects consumers directly to a network of more than 1,500 local renewable energy producers (solar, wind, hydro, methanization) through a federation of approximately 50 local energy companies (ELDs). It also offers electric vehicle charging offers, energy efficiency subsidies (CEE), self-consumption rental solutions, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and carbon footprint assessment services.
Product overview
Alterna énergie operates as both an energy supplier and producer of green, local, and low-carbon energy. The company functions as a network of over 50 local energy companies (ELDs) across France, connected to more than 1,500 renewable energy producers. The product portfolio centers on green electricity offerings (Électricité verte 100% locale, Super Creuse) and biogas (Biogaz Zen), complemented by professional solutions (electricity, gas, self-consumption, and PPA agreements) through the USY management platform. Additional offerings include electric vehicle charging, CEE subsidies for energy efficiency work, and carbon footprint assessment services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Électricité verte 100% locale Residential green electricity sourced from Alterna's network of more than 1,500 local renewable energy producers across France (solar, wind, hydro). Customers can choose their specific production farm during subscription in a short-circuit model. Price per kWh is 10% below the regulated tariff (TRV), fixed for 1 year per Commission de régulation de l'énergie standards, and carries the VertVolt "very committed" label by ADEME.
- Électricité verte Super Creuse Green electricity offer featuring 15 hours of off-peak and super off-peak periods per day. kWh pricing is 39% below the regulated tariff (TRV) during super off-peak hours, fixed for 1 year per Commission de régulation de l'énergie. Each kWh is certified by 100% French guarantees of origin. Designed for residential customers able to shift consumption to off-peak periods.
- Biogaz Zen 1 an Biogas offer allowing customers to select their methanization farm and access green gas at a price fixed for 1 year per Commission de régulation de l'énergie standards. Available to both residential and professional customers, sourcing gas from local methanization farms.
- Offre Véhicule Électrique Electric vehicle charging offer providing green electricity solutions tailored to EV charging needs for residential customers with electric vehicles.
- Prime travaux CEE Energy efficiency work subsidies available through the Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie (CEE) scheme, helping customers finance renovation and energy improvement work. Available as part of Alterna's energy efficiency service offering.
- Électricité Professionnels Green electricity solutions adapted to all business needs, including artisans, merchants, and large accounts. Includes the "Électricité verte 100% Française PRO Prix fixe 2 ans" offer with price fixed for 2 years specifically designed for businesses, artisans, and public entities. Helps companies achieve their environmental objectives.
- Gaz Professionnels Natural gas supply for businesses, providing straightforward gas procurement and delivery services for professional customers.
- Autoconsommation Pros Self-consumption solution for businesses that produce their own solar energy. Unique market offer featuring all-inclusive rental (including maintenance and troubleshooting) with no upfront investment required from the customer.
- PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) Long-term electricity purchase agreements for professionals, with over 100 PPAs signed to date. Enables businesses to secure renewable energy supply under multi-year contractual terms.
- Bilan Carbone Carbon footprint assessment service evaluating direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from company activities, identifying emission sources, and implementing reduction measures. Aligns with Alterna's commitment to zero carbon by 2050.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10% cheaper than TRV (tarif réglementé de vente) for green electricity 100% locale offer
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Alterna
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Alterna technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature2 records
Alterna partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- VattenfallcoreAlterna énergie signed an agreement to acquire Vattenfall's French electricity and gas sales business, transferring over 15,000 business customers, 3,000 large accounts, 175,000 residential contracts, and all employees of Vattenfall's French subsidiary (Vattenfall Energies SA). Transaction is pending approval from the French Competition and Markets Authority (Autorité de la concurrence).
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alterna competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TotalEnergies: French multinational energy major with growing electricity retail operations in France (including Mint Énergie) and renewable production assets. A large incumbent competing in the same French retail and PPA markets.
- Engie: French multinational utility offering electricity, gas, and energy services across Europe. Operates broadly in the same energy retail and renewable production space as Alterna but at much larger scale and across multiple geographies.
- EDF: France's incumbent national electricity operator and regulated tariff provider. While not a green-specialist, EDF dominates the French retail energy market that Alterna competes in, and its regulated tariff (TRV) is the benchmark Alterna prices against.
Direct peers
- ekWateur: French alternative green energy supplier offering green electricity and gas to residential and business customers. Targets the same customer segments as Alterna with competitive green tariffs and is among the most direct French alternative supplier competitors.
- Plüm Énergie: French green energy supplier offering renewable electricity and biogas to individuals and professionals. Competes head-to-head with Alterna on green tariffs and local sourcing positioning in the French alternative supplier market.
- Mint Énergie: French green energy supplier (now owned by TotalEnergies) offering electricity and gas to residential and professional customers. Direct competitor in the French alternative supplier segment with overlapping product lines.
- Enercoop: French cooperative green electricity supplier offering 100% renewable energy to residential and professional customers. Like Alterna, Enercoop sources from local renewable producers and operates under a cooperative model, making it a direct competitor in the same niche.
- Ilek: French green energy supplier focused on connecting consumers to local renewable producers (solar, wind, biogas). Its 'énergie du coin' concept and producer-selection model closely mirror Alterna's short-circuit approach.
Regional players
- GreenYellow: French energy subsidiary focused on decentralized renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and self-consumption solutions for businesses. Overlaps with Alterna's B2B self-consommation and PPA offerings in France.
Emerging players
- Octopus Energy: UK-based green energy retailer that has expanded into France with technology-forward offerings. Competes with Alterna on green electricity supply and brings strong digital capabilities to the French market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Alterna social profiles
Digital presenceAlterna financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alterna leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Alterna subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Alterna funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alterna M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alterna
What does Alterna do?
Alterna énergie is a French alternative energy supplier that provides 100% green, locally produced electricity and biogas to residential customers (particuliers) and professional/business customers (TPE, PME, Grands Comptes, collectivités) across France. The company operates a unique short-circuit model that connects consumers directly to a network of more than 1,500 local renewable energy producers (solar, wind, hydro, methanization) through a federation of approximately 50 local energy companies (ELDs). It also offers electric vehicle charging offers, energy efficiency subsidies (CEE), self-consumption rental solutions, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and carbon footprint assessment services.
Is Alterna a public or private company?
Alterna is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Alterna founded?
Alterna was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Alterna based?
Alterna is headquartered in Poitiers, France, in the Europe region.
How does Alterna make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electricity supply (particuliers et professionnels) is the primary driver. The others are gas and Biogaz supply and energy certificates (CEE) and PPA.
Who are Alterna's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TotalEnergies, Engie and EDF. Direct peers are ekWateur, Plüm Énergie, Mint Énergie, Enercoop and Ilek. GreenYellow is listed as a regional player. Octopus Energy is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alterna have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alterna.