The Equans operations will be combined with Bouygues’ Energy and Services (E&S) division.

Both operate substantial businesses in the UK paving the way for the creation of a major energy services operation employing over 16,000 staff.

The multi-technical services sector notably covers electrical engineering, HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical engineering, robotics, digital, telecoms networks and facilities management.

It is a strong growth potential market, forecast to grow by between 3%-4% over the next five years.

In the UK and Ireland, the rebranded Engie Services business is presently the larger of the two operations enjoying revenue of over £2bn.

Equans’ activities cover a host of areas from technical services, facilities management, construction and regeneration and renewables, employing 13,500 staff  – a significant part of the overall new global operation.

Engie Regeneration, which originally came from the former Keepmoat business,  turned over £623m last year, but booked significant losses of £77m blaming the pandemic and discontinued businesses. The firm employs 2,800 staff.

Bouygues E&S Solutions is a smaller UK operation employing around 2,700 staff with revenue of £250m.

Martin Bouygues, Chairman of Bouygues, said: “The signing of a purchase agreement with Engie to acquire Equans is very good news.

“It paves the way for us to create a new global leader in multi-technical services, with strong roots in France. We will extend a warm welcome to the 74,000 Equans employees, who will be joining a group with a reputation for strong ethical values and high-quality labour relations. ”