Middle East crisis: the government accelerates electrification, a strategic shift for the construction industry

In a recent speech, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the issue, stating: "The war in the Middle East is not ours, and yet it affects us very directly. Fortunately, France has an advantage: electricity produced on its soil."

An acceleration of the electrification of buildings

In this context, the government confirms its course: to rapidly reduce the share of fossil fuels in buildings. This notably involves the gradual phasing out of gas-powered equipment, with a strong emphasis on high-performance electric solutions.

Heat pumps are thus emerging as a key driver of this transition. Already widely supported by aid programs, their deployment is expected to increase even further in the coming years, particularly in individual and multi-family residential buildings.

For construction professionals, this direction implies:

• skills development in thermodynamic systems
• an adaptation of the energy renovation offer
• an anticipation of the structural decline in the fossil fuel boiler market

Electric mobility: social leasing relaunched

Beyond buildings, electrification also concerns mobility, with an indirect impact on construction sites and professional fleets.

The government is reviving the social leasing scheme for electric vehicles, aimed particularly at low-income households and high-mileage drivers. This mechanism aims to accelerate the renewal of the vehicle fleet while supporting demand.

For construction companies, this could translate in the medium term into:

• an evolution of utility fleets
• an adaptation of charging infrastructure at depots and construction sites
• a reflection on operating costs

A massive financial effort by 2030

The government plans a significant increase in resources dedicated to this transformation. Support for electrification is to be doubled by 2030, rising from €5,5 billion to €10 billion per year.

This investment aims to secure the energy transition while limiting exposure to fluctuations in international markets.

Industry reactions: between support and vigilance

Professional organizations generally welcome this acceleration, but it comes with warnings. The French Building Federation (FFB) emphasizes the need to guarantee the stability of support mechanisms and to avoid disrupting existing sectors, particularly in an already strained environment for construction and renovation.

Gifam, for its part, sees this dynamic as an opportunity for electrical equipment, particularly heat pumps, but recalls the importance of a controlled industrial ramp-up to avoid tensions on supply and delivery times.

The Équilibre des Énergies association clearly supports the move towards electrification, which it considers a key lever for energy sovereignty. However, it calls for a coherent and transparent roadmap over time, in order to provide visibility for stakeholders and effectively support the transformation of energy use.

Energy sovereignty: a key challenge for the sector

For the building sector, this acceleration is not merely a temporary phenomenon. It is part of a strategy of energy sovereignty, with lasting consequences for technical choices, regulations, and markets.

Dependence on oil and gas imports directly impacts the costs of materials, transportation, and building operation. Conversely, electrification, based on domestic production, appears to be a more stable long-term solution.

Key takeaways for construction professionals

• Accelerating the phase-out of gas-fired equipment
• Strong increase in the use of heat pumps
• Revival of social leasing for electric vehicles
• The budget will be increased from 5,5 to 10 billion euros per year by 2030.
• Sustainable transformation of the renovation and equipment markets