The generator market - France

There are three main categories:

High-power generators, custom-built by players such as Caterpillar and Jenbacher, for industries, hospitals, local authorities and data centers. The rise of digital technology and the need to guarantee a continuous power supply are driving this segment to grow strongly by 2024. Medium-power generators, mass-produced by manufacturers such as Pramac, are widely used in construction, events and public works. They are increasingly used on a rental basis, not least because of the rising costs of acquisition and maintenance. Small generators, mass-produced and often imported from China, distributed via DIY superstores. By 2024, hybrid and hydrogen-powered models are beginning to emerge, in response to new environmental standards and consumer concerns.

In 2024, French production remains concentrated in a few industrial hubs, notably Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (31 plants) and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (26 plants), while other regions are clearly under-industrialized. France remains heavily dependent on imports, mainly from China (7.08 billion euros of exports to France), well ahead of the United States and Spain. This growing dependence raises strategic issues, particularly in terms of energy sovereignty and diversification of supply sources. Since 2022, the market has experienced a spectacular recovery after a period of stagnation. french exports jumped from €477.3 million in 2022 to €1,145 million in 2023, before declining slightly in 2024 to €972.9 million, confirming a level still well above pre-pandemic trends. At the same time, electricity consumption in France is set to pick up slightly in 2024 (+0.7% on 2023), which could bolster demand for generator sets, particularly for industrial applications.this could boost demand for generator sets, particularly from businesses and local authorities seeking to secure their power supply in the event of grid tensions.