What HECLA SAS does

HECLA SAS is a French independent engineering company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Cachan (Île-de-France), specializing in the engineering of high-voltage electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. The firm delivers the full lifecycle of services — feasibility studies, structural modeling, reinforcement design, field measurements, project management, and acceptance — for transmission system operators (RTE in France since 2003, ELIA in Belgium, Statnett in Norway) and increasingly for adjacent customers including data center operators (COLT DCS), renewable energy developers (EDPR), and international infrastructure projects (WAPP in West Africa). Its technology stack combines established structural engineering software (PLS-CADD, TOWER, SCIA Engineer, TEKLA Structures) with proprietary measurement capabilities including Distributed Temperature Sensing via fiber optics (continuous monitoring up to 40 km, <1°C accuracy) and autonomous rolling-drone conductor diagnostics integrating visual, infrared, and ultraviolet inspection modalities.

The company is fully integrated into the EFLA group, an Icelandic-headquartered engineering and consulting platform with 600 experts across seven countries (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Scotland, France), of which HECLA is the French operating subsidiary. HECLA operates as a B2B professional services firm under a project-based engagement model: revenue is generated through competitive tenders and long-term framework agreements (accords-cadres), with no public pricing. The firm has executed 1,000+ projects over 25 years, holds ISO 9001 (since 2005) and ISO 14001 (since 2014) certifications renewed in February 2026, and reported a Net Promoter Score of 72 in 2026 (up from 69 in 2025). Leadership comprises Christophe Baldet (Directeur des Opérations, 20-year tenure), Guy Joubert (Directeur Opérationnel Technique), and Guðmundur Þorbjörnsson (Chairman, EFLA representative since 2001).

HECLA's go-to-market is relationship-driven enterprise field sales, leveraging long-standing technical credibility with major grid operators, multi-year framework contracts, and the EFLA group's international footprint for cross-border project capture. Customer acquisition is concentrated at the top of the funnel through the corporate website and news content, with conversion driven by direct expert contact (notably named individuals Baldet and Joubert) and participation in industry events. The company has no public listing, no disclosed venture or private equity backing, and no independent funding — it is wholly owned by EFLA and operates as a strategic operating subsidiary within the group's European network.

Name

HECLA SAS

Legal name

HECLA S.A.S.

Website

https://hecla.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HECLA SAS is a French engineering consultancy founded in 2001, specializing in high-voltage electricity transmission infrastructure studies, structural design, and proprietary cable diagnostics for grid operators (RTE, ELIA, Statnett) and increasingly data center and renewable energy clients. It operates as the French subsidiary of Iceland-based EFLA group (600 experts, 7 countries).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Transmission Engineering Services

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Transmission line EPC & construction (overhead) (EUADAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overhead Transmission Line EPC (HV/EHV) (EUAEABAA), HVAC Transmission Lines (EHV/UHV Overhead & Underground) (EUADAAAD), Telecom, SCADA & OPGW/Fiber Integration for T&D Projects (EUAEABAG)

Keywords

• High voltage transmission engineering
• Power line design services
• Electricity infrastructure consulting
• Fiber optic cable monitoring
• Grid engineering studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Cachan

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering Studies and Consulting Services: HECLA generates revenue through project-based engineering and consulting engagements covering feasibility studies, design studies, technical supervision, and project management for electricity transmission infrastructure. Services are delivered under long-term framework agreements with major grid operators and through competitive tendering for specific projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HECLA SAS provides specialized engineering services for high-voltage electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. Its core activity covers feasibility studies, detailed design, modeling, structural reinforcement, technical supervision and project management for overhead and underground power lines, supported by proprietary field diagnostic capabilities including Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) fiber optic thermal monitoring and autonomous rolling drone-based conductor inspection.

Product overview

HECLA SAS is an independent French engineering company (founded 2001) specializing in electricity transport and distribution infrastructure. The company operates as a single unified service offering rather than a modular software platform. Its core portfolio consists of: (1) Transport et distribution d'électricité – the primary service covering full lifecycle engineering for power lines; (2) Structures métalliques – metal structure design and reinforcement; and (3) specialized engineering services including Mesures thermiques par fibres optiques (DTS thermal monitoring), Diagnostics des conducteurs (drone-based conductor inspection), Mesures de résistance et de résistivité (grounding measurements), Gestion de projets (project management), and Études des lignes de transport d'électricité (transmission line studies). The company primarily serves RTE (French grid operator) and operates as part of the EFLA group (600 experts across 7 countries).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transport et distribution d'électricité (Electricity transmission and distribution engineering) Comprehensive engineering services for high-voltage electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, including diagnostics, field measurements, modeling, simulations, risk assessments, and tailored solutions for power line infrastructure, aimed at grid operators and energy producers.
• Structures métalliques (Metallic structure design and reinforcement) Design, modeling, reinforcement and adaptation of complex metal structures for energy infrastructure, including lattice towers, tubular poles, telecom supports and HTB/HTA structures, performed for grid operators and construction firms.
• Mesures thermiques par fibres optiques (Fiber optic DTS thermal monitoring) Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) service using optical fibers installed parallel to power cables to provide continuous thermal monitoring of underground power links up to 40 km with sub-1°C accuracy and metric resolution, including hotspot detection, real-time alerts via SMS, and cable lifetime optimization for grid operators.
• Diagnostics des conducteurs (Drone-based conductor diagnostics) Conductor inspection service using autonomous rolling drones traveling directly on power cables combined with visual, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) inspection techniques to evaluate internal and external conductor condition (aluminum/alloy wires, steel core, galvanization) and extend line lifespan for grid operators.
• Mesures de résistance et de résistivité (Soil resistivity and grounding resistance measurements) Field measurement service for soil electrical resistivity and grounding system resistance using C.A. 6470N equipment, ensuring safety, performance and regulatory compliance of earthing systems for electrical installations.
• Gestion de projets (Project management for electrical infrastructure) Global project management service for complex electrical infrastructure projects covering design through acceptance phases, with commitments on timelines, costs and quality, delivered to grid operators and energy project developers.
• Études des lignes de transport d'électricité (Transmission line studies) Complete engineering studies for overhead and underground power lines covering feasibility studies, design, modeling, mechanical and geometric analysis, technical specifications and construction cost estimates for grid operators and energy developers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ high-voltage lines (63 to 400kV) thermally measured with DTS technology
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003HECLA has been a continuous and trusted partner of RTE, the French national electricity transmission network operator, since 2003. As leader of the HEI grouping, HECLA plays a major role in the modernization and transformation of the French energy network. Long-term framework agreements (accords-cadres) govern ongoing collaborations on high-voltage overhead line studies, rehabilitation, and new infrastructure projects.
• EFLA Group (parent company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001HECLA was founded in 2001 by French engineers and major Icelandic energy actors in partnership with EFLA. HECLA is an independent French engineering company fully integrated into the EFLA group. EFLA provides HECLA with international expertise, innovation, technical excellence, and brand strength. The group comprises 600 experts across 7 countries (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Scotland, France). In January 2026, HECLA rebranded with a new logo aligned with EFLA's visual identity.
• EFLA IcelandcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001EFLA's Icelandic headquarters in Reykjavík (450+ employees) provides the largest knowledge base and technical expertise within the group. HECLA benefits from technology sharing, best practice transfer, and collaborative project execution across the EFLA network.
• SPACminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSPAC commissioned HECLA to perform thermal fiber optic measurements on the 400kV Grande Sole – Penly underground link in Seine-Maritime. SPAC acts as a works contractor that subcontracts specialized measurement services to HECLA.
• Topographic and Geotechnical Survey PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHECLA works with specialized partners for topographic surveys and geotechnical studies as part of its project delivery, particularly for complex rehabilitation projects like the 225kV Champagnier – Cordeac – Les Sables line.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sweco: Sweden-based European engineering consultancy with energy and power transmission capabilities. Overlaps with HECLA on HV line and substation engineering for Nordic TSOs while serving a much wider infrastructure and urban development market.
• Royal HaskoningDHV: Dutch engineering consultancy with energy and grid infrastructure practices serving European TSOs. Comparable to HECLA in transmission engineering services, supplemented by water, mobility, and building design capabilities.
• Ramboll: Danish-headquartered global engineering consultancy with a sizable energy practice including transmission and distribution services. Competes with HECLA on Nordic and European TSO mandates and offers a much broader portfolio (environment, water, buildings).
• Egis: French-headquartered engineering group operating across energy, transport, and urban infrastructure. Competes with HECLA on French and international transmission projects while offering broader services including rail, roads, and building engineering.
• Artelia: Large French-headquartered engineering group with significant energy, transmission, and infrastructure practices. Competes with HECLA on French TSO mandates and offers a broader portfolio spanning buildings, transportation, and water alongside energy.
• Tractebel (Engie): Belgian/French engineering consultancy owned by Engie, with deep energy and grid infrastructure capabilities. Direct overlap with HECLA on European TSO engineering studies and HV line design for clients like ELIA, plus much broader energy transition portfolio.

Direct peers

• IDOM: Spanish-headquartered engineering firm with a specialized power transmission practice (lines, substations, renewable integration). Comparable to HECLA in technical depth and TSO client focus, with similar niche specialization across European markets.
• AFRY (formerly Pöyry): Nordic-headquartered engineering and design consultancy with a strong power transmission practice serving European TSOs. Closely comparable to HECLA in HV line engineering, substation design, and renewable grid integration services across Northern Europe.
• Eltel Group: Nordic-headquartered technical service provider for power and communication networks, including HV transmission line engineering, construction, and maintenance. Comparable to HECLA in serving European TSOs, with additional focus on field services and construction execution.
• EFLA Poland: Sister company within the EFLA group, also founded 25 years ago and headquartered in Łódź, Poland. Directly comparable: specializes in HV transmission line and substation engineering, wind farm connections, and offshore integration — essentially HECLA's service portfolio replicated in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hecla-sas

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 HECLA SAS