French infrastructure giant Vinci made a big move into renewables with a €5bn ($5.9bn) deal to acquire the energy business of Spain’s ACS, including a potential 15GW of onshore wind and solar development and an early position in the UK offshore wind sector.

Vinci – one of the world’s largest construction groups and a major international operator of airports and motorways – said it aims to create a major global player in renewables EPC and development after buying most of ACS Industrial Services and its 45,000 employees.