Nice, June 6, 2025 – Renewable energy company Qair and Energy Observer, the pioneering laboratory ship for the energy transition, announced today during a press conference held as part of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) the renewal of their partnership.
Since its launch in 2017, the vessel has proved the viability of a renewable energy mix (hydrogen, solar, wind and tidal), covering more than 68,000 nautical miles – more than three times around the Earth. Energy Observer is now launching a new expedition which will focus on exploring concrete solutions for achieving carbon neutrality.
Promoting smart renewable energy
Energy Observer is a tangible demonstration of an autonomous energy system functioning under real-world conditions. By combining solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and an onboard hydrogen production and storage system, the vessel ensures propulsion and life on board without emissions, without intermittency, and without relying on fossil fuels.
Qair shares this same vision on land. In more than 20 countries, the group designs and operates projects that combine the most suitable renewable energy sources for each local context. The shared goal: building a reliable, clean, and resilient energy future.
The Quest For Carbon Neutrality : Mission 1 – 2025–2026
For the first phase of this new expedition, Energy Observer will travel across Europe and the North Atlantic to study both industrial technologies and natural ecosystems capable of sustainably sequestering carbon.
From the Mediterranean to Iceland, Energy Observer will stop in several countries where Qair is active — offering opportunities to host local events with regional teams, authorities, and energy transition partners, to raise awareness, share insights, and showcase real-world progress.
« This collaboration is much more than a partnership: it’s a shared human and technological journey toward a sustainable and autonomous energy future”, said Laurent Cohu, Chief Partnerships Officer at Qair. “During our first collaboration, with stopovers in Seychelles, Brazil, and Paris, Energy Observer served as a living proof of concept, bringing our shared vision to life both on land and at sea. Together, we continue to demonstrate that a world powered by complementary, reliable, and clean energy sources is not just possible, but already taking shape.”
“The Energy Observer adventure was born from my passion for the sea, coupled with a deep awareness of the environmental impact of maritime activities. In the face of climate urgency, inaction was no longer an option. With Energy Observer, we decided to take action — at our scale,” said Victorien Erussard, founder and president of Energy Observer.
Energy Observer’s new planetary expedition
Over the next nine years, the vessel will travel the globe to investigate concrete ways to reconcile decarbonization, ecological resilience, and sustainable economic models.
Structured around seven thematic missions, this journey aims to explore the key levers that will determine the feasibility of carbon neutrality: technological innovation, ecosystem preservation, circular economy models, territorial adaptation… Each stopover will be a chance to document, test, and share impactful solutions to tackle the defining challenges of our time.
The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)
Held ten years after the Paris Agreement, the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) brings together world leaders, UN member states, international organizations, civil society, local authorities, private stakeholders, and financial institutions to unite around a common goal: accelerating collective efforts to protect and sustainably manage the ocean. The 2025 edition is dedicated to turning ambition into action, with a strong focus on advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): Life Below Water.
As a producer of renewable energy, Qair is deeply invested in this mission. By developing and building offshore wind projects, the group actively contributes to the energy transition, while ensuring the preservation of the marine environments in which it operates. Initiatives like the EolBio project, which explores the synergy between floating wind and marine biodiversity, reflect Qair’s commitment to responsible innovation.
Renewing our partnership with Energy Observer — France’s first ambassador for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals — during UNOC3 is a powerful symbol of our shared commitment to driving the energy transition forward while safeguarding our oceans.