EDF partners with French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics as founding sponsor

EDF, France's leading electricity producer and supplier, has officially joined the organizing committee for the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in the French Alps as a "founding partner." This significant collaboration was announced via a press release, marking a crucial step for the event after a period of considerable governance turmoil.

Bernard Fontana, CEO of EDF, highlighted the logical synergy between the company and the Alpine region, noting EDF's extensive network of hydroelectric dams in the area. He stated that EDF aims to apply its expertise to accelerate the energy transition in mountain territories, aligning with the ambition for these Games to be a catalyst for sustainable development. This commitment resonates with the vision of Edgar Grospiron, president of the organizing committee (Cojop) for Alpes 2030.

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The Alps hold a central place in EDF's history, with the presence of our hydroelectric dams. By becoming the first partner of the Alpes 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want to put all our expertise at the service of a common ambition: to make these Games an accelerator of the energy transition for mountain territories.

Grospiron emphasized that EDF's engagement sends a strong signal, underscoring a shared ambition to demonstrate that the Winter Olympics and Paralympics can be both environmentally responsible and leave a tangible legacy for the Alpine regions. This partnership comes as a relief for Grospiron, who had aimed to secure initial major partnerships by the time of the Milan Cortina Games in February 2026, a goal that had been hampered by previous governance crises.

The organizing committee faced significant challenges, including resignations and political disputes, which led to Nice withdrawing its bid to host ice events. However, recent weeks have seen a stabilization, with Vincent Roberti appointed as the new Director General on June 15, the Games' emblems unveiled on June 18, the re-inclusion of ski mountaineering in the program, and the validation of the final venue map by the end of June. The partnership with EDF represents a major rebound and a solid foundation for the future of the Alpes 2030 Games.

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EDF's commitment alongside us is a strong signal. Together, we share the ambition to demonstrate that the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games can be sober and committed in environmental terms and leave a concrete legacy for the Alpine territories.