When Octopus Energy set out to make green energy affordable for everyone, few imagined how quickly the British pioneer would cross borders. Yet, as Europe accelerates its transition to clean energy, Octopus found in Northern France not just a market — but a home.
From Lille’s customer service hub to Amiens’ solar training centre, the company’s double investment in the region reflects a deeper truth: sustainability thrives where ecosystems are ready to welcome it.
It all started with one frustration.
Founder Greg Jackson faced the same challenge millions did — confusing energy bills and little transparency. His response? Build a company that would be both green and fair.
Launched in 2016, Octopus Energy quickly became the UK’s largest energy supplier, now active in eight countries and producing clean power through Octopus Energy Generation, with investments in 23 markets worldwide.
Every success story starts with a shared vision — and this one began with three French entrepreneurs who wanted to make energy consumption smarter and fairer.
In 2016, Vincent Maillard, Lancelot d’Hauthuille, and Joanny Christ co-founded Plüm Énergie, a Paris-based startup with a bold promise: to reward people who consume less energy.
Their mission aligned perfectly with Octopus Energy’s philosophy — a human, transparent, and sustainable approach to energy.
By 2022, as Octopus Energy was looking to expand across Europe, the French market appeared as a key opportunity. France had strong green ambitions, a growing demand for renewable energy, and a customer base increasingly aware of sustainability.
The acquisition of Plüm Énergie wasn’t just a business move, it was the meeting of two cultures driven by the same goal: accelerating the energy transition while keeping it affordable for all.
Following the acquisition, Vincent Maillard became President of Octopus Energy France.
Today, Octopus Energy France is the fifth-largest electricity provider and the leading alternative green supplier nationwide, a testament to how complementary visions can spark powerful transformations.
By 2022, Octopus Energy’s Paris offices were buzzing with growth. Teams were expanding fast, and the company needed a second home — a place to host its customer service and sales operations.
They had 4 main criteria:
They had identified other cities such as Reims or Le Mans
Here is how Lille set itself apart from other destinations:
Northern France is France’s #1 region for customer relations, home to global leaders like Majorel, Concentrix, and Comdata.
The ecosystem is mature, the expertise deep, and the networks strong, a perfect fit for Octopus Energy’s customer-centric model.
“Our 1st criterion is proximity to our headquarters in Paris. It’s incredible that you can get to Lille in just one hour from Paris. In addition, we’re only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from our headquarters in London.” – Lancelot d’Hauthuille, co-CEO of Octopus Energy.
With 58,000 professionals in the tertiary sector and world-class business schools nearby, the region offers a talent pipeline that rivals any major European hub.
“It was very easy for us to be up and running because we had access to an important talent pool. Our site was launched in 2023, and we started off with 2 employees. Today, we have almost 200 employees in Lille and 15 to 20 employees in Amiens” – Lancelot d’Hauthuille.
Lille’s charm lies in its balance: affordable, accessible, cosmopolitan. Its proximity to London (1h20), Paris (1h) and Brussels (35 min) make it the beating heart of Northern Europe — and a magnet for international talent.
“I don’t want to fall into clichés and shortcuts, but it’s true that in northern France, there is a quality of hospitality and service that you don’t always find in other places.” – Lancelot d’Hauthuille
Northern France has been pioneering sustainable development for years through the Rev3 initiative, a regional strategy that accelerates green growth by supporting low-carbon businesses.
With financial incentives, dedicated innovation hubs and hands-on support, Rev3 made Northern France a natural match for Octopus’s mission.
Growth rarely stops where success begins.
By mid-2024, Octopus Energy faced a new challenge: a sharp rise in demand for photovoltaics and self-consumption systems. To better serve customers, the company decided to internalise these operations — and looked for a new strategic site.
Their choice? Amiens, a city already known for its industrial expertise, accessibility, and green innovation.
Here, Octopus Energy set up a warehouse and training centre, where teams can manage logistics, installations, and client onboarding.
Here’s why it was chosen:
From London to Lille to Amiens, Octopus Energy’s expansion tells a simple story: when a region shares your vision, growth becomes natural.
Northern France isn’t just a destination — it’s a partner in building a cleaner, more connected future.
And while Octopus Energy may not have been initially supported by the UK Business Centre Lille, its journey perfectly illustrates what makes this region unique:
a thriving ecosystem, a skilled workforce, and a collective drive for sustainable innovation.
