2024 WYA Entrepreneur of the Year 'Camille Lopez'

Dec 13, 20243 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2024

Camille Lopez is the founding president of HY-Plug, a consulting firm specializing in maritime energy transition. Born in Toulon and raised in Six Fours les Plages in the South of France (Var department), Camille is now based in Beausoleil, near Monaco. At 26 years old, she has a profound connection to both nature and technology. With over 22 years of experience in historical horse riding, Camille has developed a strong sensitivity to the natural world. Her passion for leisure marine activities began at just three months old, instilling in her a lifelong love for the sea. Camille’s enthusiasm for automotive sports and mechanics has also fostered a deep appreciation for technology and engineering. Fluent in French and English, she is currently learning Spanish.

What do you do in Yachting?

In the yachting industry, I contribute to the decarbonization of energy by working with marinas and shipyards. My company, HY-Plug, based in Monaco and France, is a consulting firm specializing in maritime energy transition. We provide support services focused on hydrogen,

electric energy, biofuels, and biomethanol. Our services include:

Propulsion technology and generators
Refueling station technology
Regulatory studies on the current framework
End-user analysis
Training on the fundamentals of energy transition in maritime, with a focus on ports, yachting, and leisure boating.

I help clients through market and technical studies by:

Identifying the energy needs of marinas based on location, brands, and models represented.
Sourcing suppliers for temporary bunkering solutions in selected energy sources.
Analyzing regulations to ensure safe bunkering operations with new energy types.

My work is focused on reducing CO2, NOx, and SOx emissions, helping yachts and marinas adopt more sustainable solutions.

What was your field of study, and where did you pursue your education?

At 18, I decided to take on a challenging summer job to create a lasting memory that would motivate me through difficult times. I chose to work as a dishwasher, and the experience proved to be both tough and rewarding, instilling a strong work ethic that stayed with me throughout my career.

My professional journey began in the automotive industry, starting with five weeks in sales at Volkswagen in the South of France, followed by two years in sales at Citroën and DS Automobiles. I then spent six months in supply chain and distribution at SEAT France (Volkswagen Group France), and concluded with four months in business development at YACHTNEEDS in Monaco. The automotive industry taught me the importance of rigor, personal excellence, and adapting to constant change.

While gaining this professional experience, I pursued part-time studies for a B-Tech Bachelor’s degree in Professional Management for SMEs/SMIs, a three-year program in France. I then studied full-time for my Master’s degree in International Trade and Logistics, specializing in supply chain and import-export at Kedge Business School in France. My second year of the Master's in International Management was completed at IUM in Monaco. It was during this time that I identified a gap between energy suppliers and consumers, which led me to establish HY-Plug, my current company.

How did your career in yachting begin?

I decided to complete my studies in Monaco, as automotive and motorsport were well-represented there. At that time, I was living in Beausoleil, with an amazing sea view and a view of Port Hercule. During my Master's program, I began to realize that my love for the sea and boats could translate into a professional field. I started exploring the yachting industry and began to see how I could apply my automotive knowledge to this new domain.

My passion for sailing started at a young age, and my background in mechanics fueled my desire to take on a big professional challenge in an industry I love. In 2021, I took the leap and established my own company, marking the beginning of my journey in yachting.

Can you share a memorable experience or significant achievement in your yachting career?

One of our notable achievements is working with San Lorenzo, although the details remain confidential at this stage. Additionally, we are currently conducting an energy study for the three Monaco ports, which is an exciting and impactful project.

What current projects or goals are you focused on?

Currently, I'm working on several exciting projects and goals:

We are developing strategic partnerships in Emirates region.
I am in the process of becoming an IMO consultant (undergoing the procedure).
I am in the process of creating a consortium for a European maritime project in 2025, which has already been agreed upon with one of the classification societies.
We have submitted several quotations for significant marinas and yacht projects, but these details cannot be released at this time.