Green Yellow

In 2007, an idea sparked within the French retail giant, Groupe Casino. An executive, Otmane Hajji, saw untapped potential in the vast, empty spaces of the company's hypermarket rooftops and parking lots. This wasn't about more retail space; it was about energy. That year, GreenYellow was founded as a subsidiary of Casino, with Hajji and Philippe Houins leading the charge to turn these idle assets into sources of solar power. The initial model was straightforward: install solar panels on the roofs of their own stores. GreenYellow's business model is built on helping companies transition to cheaper, greener energy without the massive upfront cost. They operate on an "as-a-service" basis, handling the development, financing, and operation of solar installations and energy efficiency projects. Clients sign long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), buying electricity at a pre-agreed, often lower, rate. This strategy allowed GreenYellow to expand beyond its parent company, offering a full suite of services including energy efficiency contracts and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. A pivotal moment arrived in 2022 when the private investment house Ardian agreed to acquire a majority stake in GreenYellow, in a deal that valued the company at €1.4 billion. Groupe Casino, the original incubator, retained a minority stake, alongside other early investors like Bpifrance and Tikehau Capital who had backed the company in 2018. This acquisition provided the resources for an ambitious international development plan, cementing GreenYellow's position as a significant player in the decentralized energy market. By 2024, Ardian increased its ownership to 90%, signaling strong confidence in GreenYellow's continued growth trajectory.