In 2023, the abstraction of fresh surface water for cooling in the electricity production sector in France was approximately 13.0 billion cubic meters. From 2024 to 2028, a forecasted steady decline is observed, with values decreasing from 12.66 to 11.25 billion cubic meters. This reflects a consistent year-on-year reduction: approximately -2.8% from 2024 to 2025, -2.8% from 2025 to 2026, -2.9% from 2026 to 2027, and lastly -3.0% from 2027 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the period is around -3%.
Trends to watch include technological advancements in cooling efficiency, increased use of alternative water sources, and policy shifts towards more sustainable energy practices which could further impact water abstraction needs.
