DGEC revises its forecast for growth in electricity demand in France downwards

The French Directorate-General for Energy and Climate (DGEC) believes that growth in electricity demand as a result of the electrification of energy uses could turn out to be slower than expected. In the central scenario published in 2023, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy forecast electricity consumption of 580-640 TWh per year in 2035, increasing by 10 to 15 TWh per year over the period 2025-2035. The energy-saving measures taken during the energy crisis have reduced demand in a way that is likely to last, while the rate of installation of heat pumps and electrification of the vehicle fleet is slower than anticipated. But it is the delay in the development of hydrogen that is, from today's point of view, the most significant factor, since in the 2023 forecasts, hydrogen production was expected to represent additional consumption estimated at 65 TWh in 2035, corresponding to an installed electrolyser capacity of 6,500 MW (compared with just 30 MW installed today).