The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente

What The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente does

The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente (SDEG 16) is a public territorial establishment (syndicat mixte ouvert) headquartered in Angoulême, France, founded on May 31, 1937. It serves as the single organizing authority for public electricity distribution across the Charente department (404 communes) and as conceding authority for public gas distribution (316 communes), with day-to-day network operations delegated to Enedis and GRDF respectively under concession contracts. The organization also holds transferred competencies from 403 collectivities for public lighting maintenance (over 57,000 light points with 24/7 emergency service), 331 communes for electronic communications, and a growing mandate for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and renewable energy systems. It is governed by elected officials from member communes and the Department of Charente, with Jean-Michel BOLVIN serving as President.

SDEG 16's service portfolio spans electricity network reinforcement, extensions, and burial (network concealment); public lighting installation, renovation, sports facility lighting, heritage illumination, and festive lighting; gas distribution (natural and propane, including France's first public service delegation for propane with Primagaz in 2003); renewable energy deployment through autonomous generators (photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric); energy efficiency programs targeting ≥40% electricity reduction in lighting; and EV charging infrastructure management via the MObiVE platform. It is the third largest public investor in the Charente department, supporting an estimated ~300 direct and ~1,000 indirect jobs through contractor activity.

SDEG 16 does not charge membership fees to communes; instead it finances communal infrastructure works — 100% for rural electricity network strengthening/burial and 35–50% for public lighting (50% when energy-saving equipment is used). Its annual budget is approximately €40 million, of which €35 million is dedicated to communal works. Revenue inflows include electricity tax (~€3.5M/year), FACE rural electrification aid (~€4.65M/year, covering 80% of eligible work costs), R1 concession fees from Enedis/GRDF (~€3M/year), public domain occupation fees from telecom/electricity operators (~€240K/year), and borrowing of €5–6M annually. The syndicate also holds equity in renewable energy vehicles (SAS Sol'R Parc Charente, SAS Sol'R Parc Ruffec) and participates in regional coordination through TENAQ and partnerships with ADEME, Banque des Territoires, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and SERGIES.

Name

The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente

Legal name

Syndicat Départemental d'Electricité et de Gaz de la Charente (SDEG 16)

Website

https://sdeg16.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente (SDEG 16) is a French public establishment that finances and manages electricity, gas, public lighting, EV charging, and renewable energy infrastructure across 300–400 communes in the Charente department through a €40M annual budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Utility Infrastructure Management

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Electric Services (4911), Natural Gas Distribution (4924)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Choice Aggregators with Distribution Operations (CCA + Wires, where applicable) (EUADABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical BOP & Collection Systems (MV/HV Cabling, Switchgear, Protection, Grounding) (EUAMAFAD), EV Charging & Fleet VPP Aggregation (Managed Charging, V2G, Depot/Highway) (EUAFAHAC)

Keywords

• Electricity distribution services
• Gas distribution services
• Public lighting maintenance
• Utility infrastructure financing
• EV charging infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Angoulême

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax on Electricity: Annual tax collected on electricity consumption in rural communes, approximately 3,500,000 euros per year
2. Rural Electrification Aid (FACE): Financial aid from the Amortization Fund for Electrification Charges, approximately 4,650,000 euros annually, corresponding to 80% of work costs
3. Concession Fees: R1 electricity and gas concession fees from cahier des charges, approximately 3,000,000 euros per year
4. Public Domain Occupation Fees: Fees from telecommunications and electricity operators for public domain occupation, approximately 240,000 euros per year
5. Borrowing: Annual borrowing between 5 and 6 million euros for infrastructure investments

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente (SDEG 16) is a public investment syndicate that finances, owns, and manages public energy and communications infrastructure for its member communes in the Charente department of France. Its core offerings include construction, reinforcement, extension, and burial of public electricity and gas distribution networks, public lighting maintenance and emergency services, electronic communications network deployment, EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy systems. The organization provides direct financing (up to 100%) of infrastructure works to its member communes and acts as the conceding authority over major operators Enedis and GRDF.

Product overview

The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente (SDEG 16) is a public investment syndicate offering infrastructure management services for electricity, gas, public lighting, and electronic communications. The organization operates through multiple budget annexes including Very High Speed Broadband (THD), Renewable Energy (EnR), and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (IRVE). Core services include electricity and gas network construction, reinforcement and extension; network concealment (underground burial); public lighting maintenance, renovation and installation; sports facility lighting; heritage lighting enhancement; festive lighting; energy savings programs; and electric vehicle charging infrastructure deployment. The SDEG 16 is the third largest public investor in the Charente department with a budget of 40 million euros, including 35 million euros for works across member communes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electricity Network Reinforcement Modification of existing public electricity distribution infrastructure to accommodate increased electricity demand or improve service quality for communes in Charente. SDEG 16 fully finances these works for rural communes.
• Electricity Network Extensions Connection of new users to the public electricity distribution network, typically extending to the boundary of the plot to be served. Since November 2000, nearly all extensions have been carried out underground.
• Public Gas Distribution Supply of natural or propane gas to communes distant from main pipelines. SDEG 16 ensures project management and works supervision similar to electricity distribution. More than 20 communes have been supplied with propane network gas.
• Public Lighting Maintenance, Renovation and Extension Maintenance of over 57,000 lighting points across 397 member collectives. Technical and financial assistance is provided for municipalities investing in public lighting infrastructure (new works and/or renovation).
• Public Lighting Emergency Service On-call service for public lighting emergencies for member collectives, provided without additional fees, ensuring safety of persons and property outside office hours (evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays).
• Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (IRVE) Development and management of charging infrastructure for electric and hybrid vehicles, including slow (below 7.4 kW), accelerated (7.5-22 kW), rapid (23-50 kW), and ultra-rapid (above 50 kW) charging solutions, managed through the MObiVE service platform.
• Renewable Energy Systems Autonomous generator solutions using solar photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, or hydroelectric power when economically viable compared to grid connection. SDEG 16 provides specific financial aid for renewable energy installations.
• Network Concealment (Electricity and Electronic Communications) Integration of electrical and electronic communications infrastructure into the environment using underground cables, facade wiring, cabin-mounted transformer stations, and aesthetically designed electrical cabinets. SDEG 16 allocates approximately 3 million euros annually for these works.
• Energy Savings and Sustainable Development Program Programs to reduce electricity consumption in public lighting by at least 40%, representing approximately 10,500 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually. Includes financing up to 50% of electrical equipment using technologies such as dimmers, electronic ballasts, LEDs, and replacement kits.
• Sports Facility Lighting Maintenance and adjustment of lighting installations for stadiums, tennis courts, and bowling greens, including systematic lamp replacement at end-of-life (approximately every six years for stadiums), specialized studies, and supply and installation of floodlights and masts at various heights.
• Heritage Lighting Enhancement Illumination of heritage buildings, facades, frontons, architectural details, churches, market halls, bridges, mills, and other monuments. Over 300 such projects have been completed in Charente.
• Festive Lighting (Guirlandes et motifs lumineux) Supply and installation of outlets for festive strings, as well as supply, installation, removal, and storage of decorative lighting garlands and motifs for member municipalities.
• Electronic Communications Network Extensions Civil engineering works primarily for extensions and developments of subdivisions or activity zones in electronic communications networks, serving 331 communes that have transferred electronic communications competence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 57,000+ light points maintained with 24/7 emergency service
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• TENAQ (Entente des Syndicats d'Énergies de Nouvelle-Aquitaine)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2024Regional entente of 13 energy syndicates in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. SDEG 16 participates in joint research programs, coordinated purchasing, and shared expertise through this organization including the RESET (Recherche sur les Énergies et les Territoires) research chair.
• ADEME (Agence de la Transition Écologique)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2023Partnership for the CEE ACTEE program (Sub-programme LUM'ACTE) supporting energy efficiency improvements in public lighting.
• Sol'R Parc CharenteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018SAS company in which SDEG 16 holds shares for the development of photovoltaic energy projects, including the Villognon-Luxé Nord solar farm.
• Région Nouvelle-AquitainemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2017Partnership for energy transition implementation between the Region and the energy syndicates of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
• Charente NumériquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2017Mixed syndicate for very high-speed broadband deployment in Charente. SDEG 16 transferred its THD competence and collaborates on digital infrastructure development.
• SERGIESminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2016Partnership for the development of major renewable energy projects in Charente department alongside CALITOM and SDEG 16.
• PrimagazcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 June 2003First public service delegation in France for propane gas distribution signed in 2003. Primagaz serves communal subdivisions under SDEG 16 oversight.
• GRDF (Gaz Réseau Distribution France)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 February 2000Concessionaire for natural gas distribution across 316 communes in Charente. GRDF operates the network under delegation from SDEG 16 which retains ownership of the infrastructure.
• Enedis (formerly ERDF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 31 May 1937Concessionaire responsible for operating and maintaining the public electricity distribution network owned by SDEG 16. Enedis operates under the cahier des charges de concession framework and manages day-to-day distribution operations across all 404 communes.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Enedis: National DSO that operates the electricity distribution networks owned by SDEG 16 under concession. Enedis is the broader incumbent DSO present in every French department; SDEG 16 is essentially a public owner sitting on top of Enedis's operational network.
• GRDF: National gas distribution operator that operates the gas networks owned by SDEG 16 under concession. GRDF is the broader incumbent for gas distribution across France.

Direct peers

• Syndicat Départemental d'Énergie du Lot (SDÉ): Departmental energy syndicate serving Lot. Direct peer with the same organizational model, scope of competencies (electricity, public lighting, EV charging, broadband), and rural public investor profile.
• TE 47 (Territoire d'Énergie Lot-et-Garonne): Departmental energy syndicate for Lot-et-Garonne, also member of TENAQ. Direct peer with same scope (electricity, gas, public lighting, EV charging, broadband) and structural organization.
• Syndicat Départemental d'Énergie de la Dordogne (SDE 24): French departmental energy syndicate serving Dordogne. Closest direct peer: same legal structure (syndicat mixte ouvert), same scope of competencies (electricity, gas, public lighting, EV charging, broadband), and shares the TENAQ regional entente with SDEG 16.
• Syndicat Départemental d'Énergie des Pyrénées-Atlantiques (SDEPA): Energy syndicate for Pyrénées-Atlantiques, also a member of TENAQ. Direct peer in scope and structure, focused on network ownership, public lighting, and member commune financing.
• Syndicat Départemental d'Énergie et Environnement de la Gironde (SDEEG): Gironde departmental energy syndicate. Direct peer operating in the same Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with comparable competencies (electricity distribution, public lighting, EV charging, energy transition) and structural model.

Regional players

• Charente Numérique: Mixed syndicate for very high-speed broadband (THD) in Charente, which absorbed SDEG 16's THD budget annex in 2024. Operates at the same departmental level but focuses specifically on fiber; SDEG 16 holds a stake and remains a strategic partner.

Others

• FNCCR (Fédération Nationale des Collectivités Concédantes et Régies): National federation of French concession-granting authorities and régies. Trade association representing SDEG 16 and similar departmental energy syndicates; provides coordination, advocacy, and best-practice sharing across the network of local public energy authorities.

Emerging players

• SERGIES: Renewable energy developer in which SDEG 16 is a partner alongside CALITOM for major renewable projects in Charente. Comparable in the renewable/energy transition space but focused on project development rather than network ownership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Departmental Syndicate of Electricity and Gas of Charente