The eighth Journée de la PAC, held on May 20, 2026, focused on electrification as a driver of energy sovereignty and competitiveness. The sold-out event also highlighted the role of heat pumps in building decarbonization, industrial development and employment.
Maud Bregeon, Minister Delegate for Energy and Government Spokesperson, reaffirmed state support for the heat pump sector’s transition pathway. She also welcomed the operational launch of the Centre d’expertise de la pompe à chaleur (Cepac), whose founding members are AFPAC, CETIAT, EDF, Domofinance and Uniclima, with support from ADEME.
Cepac will provide technical assistance and local coordination for industry participants and specifiers. Its work will complement AFPAC’s role in representing the heat pump sector to public authorities.
Discussions identified three priorities: replacing heating oil and gas with electric solutions in residential and commercial buildings, developing heat pump production and securing supplies, and creating regional jobs in areas including installation and maintenance.
The event’s industrial sessions examined how European production can respond to international competition. The final roundtable addressed France’s use of environmental and geographical-origin criteria in public support schemes to give greater recognition to French and European production, encourage industrial investment and promote equipment with a lower carbon footprint.