March 23, 2027 – March 24, 2027
Meet the French district heating market
France is scaling up district heating as part of its green transition, creating new opportunities for Danish companies across the district heating value chain.
Join DBDH for a two-day export promotion to Bordeaux and Cannes, where we will connect Danish expertise with French cities, utilities, project developers, investors and other key stakeholders working with concrete heating and cooling projects.
The visit will focus on practical market needs and opportunities for cooperation. Through thematic workshops, roundtable discussions, project presentations and targeted meetings, participating Danish companies will be able to discuss technologies, experience and solutions directly with French decision-makers and potential partners.
The programme is developed by DBDH in close cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark in France and relevant French organisations.
Why France – and why now?
France has ambitious plans to expand district heating significantly towards 2035. Heat accounts for approximately 43% of the country’s total energy consumption, while around 1,000 district heating networks currently deliver approximately 26 TWh of heat annually.
French cities and regions are actively planning new networks and extensions to existing systems. At the same time, utilities, developers and investors are looking for proven solutions that can support electrification, energy efficiency and the integration of renewable and recovered heat sources.
This creates a strong match with Danish district heating experience.
French stakeholders are particularly interested in areas such as:
- Recovery and utilisation of excess heat
- Electrification of district heating and cooling systems
- Sector coupling and integration of new technologies
- Energy-efficient system operation
- District cooling as complementary urban infrastructure
- Digital control and optimisation
- Planning, governance and regulatory frameworks
Tentative program
Day 1 – Bordeaux
The first day is expected to bring together Danish companies and relevant French cities, utilities, project developers and other market stakeholders.
The program will combine presentations, thematic workshops and roundtable discussions focusing on current projects, technical challenges and opportunities for cooperation. Site or company visits may also be included to provide insight into local initiatives and investment plans.
Participating Danish companies will have the opportunity to present their expertise in the context of specific French needs rather than through traditional sales presentations.
Day 2 – Cannes and MIPIM
The second day is planned in connection with MIPIM, the international real estate and investment event in Cannes.
Activities will focus on meetings and dialogue with cities, investors, developers and infrastructure stakeholders involved in urban energy projects. The aim is to highlight how district heating, district cooling, recovered heat and electrification can contribute to efficient and climate-friendly urban development.
The final program and locations will be confirmed in close cooperation with the Embassy of Denmark in France and relevant French hosts.
What will participating companies gain?
The export promotion offers Danish companies an opportunity to:
Meet relevant French decision-makers and potential partners
Build direct relationships with municipalities, utilities, developers, investors and organisations involved in heating and cooling projects.
Get closer to concrete projects
Gain insight into current French priorities, project pipelines and technical or organisational challenges where Danish solutions can make a difference.
Present your solution in the right context
Use workshops and roundtable discussions to connect Danish technologies and expertise with specific French market needs.
Strengthen your position in a growing market
Build on the Danish-French export alliance and the existing government-to-government cooperation on energy, while becoming part of a long-term dialogue between Danish and French stakeholders.
Who should join?
The visit is relevant for Danish companies offering technologies, services and expertise across the district heating and cooling value chain, including:
- Planning, consultancy and engineering
- Excess-heat recovery
- Large-scale heat pumps and electrification
- Heat production and sector coupling
- Pipes, omponents and distribution technologies
- Digitalisation, control and optimisation
- District cooling
- Energy-efficient operation
- Governance and system development
Both companies already active in France and companies exploring the French market are welcome. There will be a particular focus on enabling SMEs to meet relevant partners and position their solutions in concrete projects.
Interested in joining?
Let us know your interest and join DBDH in bringing Danish district heating and cooling expertise closer to the French market.
🔗 Further details about the program, participation fee, and French hosts will follow.