Record year for district heating networks, and remarkable momentum for district cooling networks

These results come from the annual survey of heat and cold networks, carried out by FEDENE Heat & Cold Networks, with the assistance of AMORCE and under the supervision of the Data and Statistical Studies Service (SDES) of the ministries in charge of the environment, energy, construction, housing and transport.

This exceptional growth, which is also expressed in terms of new connections, is the combined result of the favorable framework put in place by the State and the choice of many communities to favour heat networks as a response to the energy crisis of 2022. The Heat Fund and the increase in its budget since 2021[2] have been the catalysts for this growth.

While the summer of 2025 was the third hottest in almost a century of records[3], the remarkable development of cooling networks confirms the place of these installations as a tool for adapting to climate change.

The strongest historical growth observed in terms of heat delivery

Adjusted for the severity of the climate, heat deliveries reach 32,3 TWh in 2024, an increase of 9,3% compared to 2023. This increase is to be compared with the evolution of overall energy consumption in the residential sector (an increase of only 1,1% for gas and 0,4% for electricity), confirming the rise of the heat network sector.

This record concretely reflects the acceleration of the dynamics of heat network development since the end of Covid and the energy crisis of 2022. Guaranteeing the use of renewable and locally recovered energy and whose cost is controlled, heat networks offer communities and businesses concrete answers to the challenges of supply, competitiveness and decarbonization.

2.374 new buildings have been connected since 2023. In ten years, the number of buildings connected to heat networks has grown by 69% to reach almost 52.450 buildings today.

In addition to new buildings being connected, the development of heat networks also involves the creation of new networks and the extension of existing ones, with + 430 km of networks in 2024, which is the distance between Paris and Lyon.

A high and growing rate of renewable and recovered energy

The heat delivered by the networks is primarily from renewable or recovered sources (waste heat from Waste-to-Energy Units (WTEs) and industries, biomass, geothermal energy, etc.). The share of renewable and recovered energy in the networks, which is projected to reach 67% in 2024, has more than doubled since 2009 (31%), the year the Heat Fund was established.

This strong progress has made it possible to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels: for example, coal and fuel oil, which accounted for 12,2% of heat production for networks ten years ago, now account for only 1%.

Heat from industry, data centers, and wastewater treatment plants represents significant potential for decarbonization, as it can be utilized within district heating networks. However, this potential remains largely untapped. According to ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), this resource represents nearly 90 TWh, with over 90% originating from the industrial sector.

The use of renewable and recovered energy is reflected in particular in terms of carbon footprint: between 2014 and 2024, the average CO₂ emission in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) per kWh of heat delivered fell from 184 to 109 grams, a significant reduction of 41%.

A positive trend in district cooling networks, a virtuous response to climate challenges

With the increasing frequency of heat waves, the need for cooling solutions is growing. More environmentally friendly and efficient than individual solutions, district cooling networks saw significant growth in 2024, with 5 new networks and 204 more buildings connected (+12% compared to 2023).

In total, 294 km of cooling networks delivered 0,9 TWh in 2024. The National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC) plans to double the amount of cooling delivered per network by 2030.

Continue the momentum of development

District heating and cooling networks offer concrete solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The draft Multiannual Energy Programme plans for 52,7 TWh of heat delivered by these networks, 75% of which will be renewable and recovered heat, by 2030, and up to 90 TWh, 80% of which will be renewable and recovered heat, by 2035.

These objectives must be supported by financial resources to achieve these ambitions. In particular, the Heat Fund will continue to play a key role in the development of heating and cooling networks, and must be allocated sufficient funds and a strategic plan commensurate with the challenges.

To continue supporting this development dynamic, FEDENE companies are calling for the Heat Fund to be increased beyond the €800 million planned in the draft finance law for 2026.

[1] Deliveries adjusted for climatic severity, i.e. by applying a method of adjusting energy consumption according to climatic variations.

[2] Heat Fund envelope of €370 million in 2021 compared to €800 million in 2025.

[3] https://meteofrance.com/actualites-et-dossiers/actualites/lete-2025-au-3-rang-des-etes-les-plus-chauds

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.