SPIE, partner of the Pyrenees

Saint-Denis, 6 July 2021 – The Tertiaire division of SPIE Industrie & Tertiaire, a subsidiary of the SPIE group, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, is working throughout the Pyrenees and helping resorts and local companies to have a successful summer season.

A packed season of electrical engineering work

The Tertiaire division of SPIE Industrie & Tertiaire, a key player in electrical facilities and their renovation, has just started work on the extension of one of the Pic du Midi Observatory buildings. This contract’s working conditions are far from typical: material must be transported by helicopter, the teams’ arrival on site is dependant on highly changeable weather conditions and work is to be carried out at an altitude of 2,876m. SPIE’s staff members on the site are helping to renovate the researchers’ and students’ social areas and the area surrounding the newest telescope.

At the same time, the teams are involved in other tasks associated with the summer season. They are working on several tourist accommodation sites (Plateau de Beille, the Les Balcons du Soleil residence at the Peyragudes resort, the Néouvielle holiday centre) and resorts. At the Gourette, Peyragudes and Plateau de Beille resorts, SPIE is installing electrical facilities to power the snow canons, and renovating the electric facilities in the Nordic area, which is home to the ski club, the ski school, the mountain biking area, shops and restaurants.

“SPIE is well-known in these regions thanks to its technical expertise in the area of electrical engineering, in-depth knowledge of high-mountain regions and regional presence”, explains Pierre Angelini, department head at the Tertiaire division of SPIE Industrie & Tertiaire.

Services driven by a passion for the mountains

Thanks to its local presence and widely recognised expertise, the Tertiaire division has developed unique expertise over the years, which makes it the perfect partner for high-mountain refuges. When working under these unique conditions, equipment must be highly sophisticated and rigorously optimised, and time cannot be wasted. These remote areas, often only accessible by helicopter, limit staff members who often spend days there without returning to the valleys.

The teams dedicated to these projects share a real passion for mountain activities and are experts in the field. They not only work on site but also liaise with customers. Their experience and expertise in preparation, anticipating needs, engineering and material supply allow them to act quickly and efficiently and to mitigate the various hazards encountered during the weeks spent on site. This year, they will put their expertise to use on the refuges in Wallon Marcadau, Aygues Cluses and Cayolar d’Iraty.

The proximity of SPIE’s branches therefore provides mountain sector players with a local service provider that contributes to the development of the “4-season mountain” intended to ensure the future of tourism in the mountain range.