Lighting the stadiums, welcoming spectators, timing the athletes, broadcasting their sporting achievements around the world… for all of this, energy supplies are essential. And for the Games, Paris 2024 is choosing a different approach by focusing on renewable electricity, connecting the venues to the public network.

Renewable electricity from wind or solar power generated in France will be used. All venues will be connected to the public electricity network to limit the use of generators. Reducing energy consumption is also a priority. The Paris 2024 facilities will be more efficient, with the use of LED technology reducing energy consumption by -80% compared with standard lighting. Electrical equipment will be limited to what is essential.

At the Aquatics Centre, the building is designed to optimise energy consumption, for both the Games and its future use: the concave shape of its roof makes it possible to reduce the volume of air to be heated by 30%, while the water in the pools will be kept at 28°C by a system to recover heat from the neighbouring data centre. Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof will cover around 20% of the building’s electricity needs.

The construction and renovation projects, accelerated by the dynamics of the Games, will also open up opportunities to provide communities with more energy-efficient infrastructures, through better insulated buildings and innovative solutions such as geothermal power or heat recovery.

Connecting all the Games venues to the electricity network is a challenge that has been successfully met. For the Games, Paris 2024 is choosing a different approach, focused on setting up supplies through the public electricity network. This has been done in collaboration with Enedis, an Official Supporter. Thanks to this work, the matches at the Stade de France will be supplied directly with electricity through a reliable network rather than using diesel generators.

For the Games, Place de la Concorde has been equipped with a system of retractable electric terminals installed below the road surface by Enedis, enabling a direct connection to the electricity network. This innovative and sustainable system will also be installed at other temporary venues, such as Place du Trocadéro, and certain celebration venues. Following the Games, these event terminals will offer a legacy for the communities, promoting more responsible events.

To supply the venues connected to the electricity network, Paris 2024 is choosing 100% renewable electricity generated in France, sourced from six wind farms and two solar farms. EDF, a Premium Partner, will supply the same quantity of electricity to the electricity network as that consumed by the Games venues. This approach is the first of its kind in the history of the Games.

The Games are also an opportunity to innovate and test new solutions: various projects for temporary self-consumption electricity production will also be trialled during the event. During the Games, two innovative installations rolled out at the Village will cover part of the athletes’ electricity consumption: a photovoltaic carport and a 400m² floating mobile solar farm on the Seine.

Generators will be used as back-up power supply solutions for venues connected to the electricity network: they are not intended to operate unless there is a power cut for instance, to help ensure that the competitions run smoothly. They will also be used for specific and ad hoc requirements, where a connection to the network is not justified. These generators will be supplied by the GL Events – Loxam group, an Official Supporter of the Games, and the vast majority will use biofuels to reduce pollution emissions.

During the Games, 650 LEDs have been installed to replace traditional light bulbs, reducing energy consumption by nearly 80% compared to traditional lighting, for both the Games and future sporting events.

Grid-connection terminals for the Games have been fitted at Place de la Concorde, Champ de Mars, Invalides and Trocadéro, allowing them to use electricity from the grid instead of relying on diesel generators. The Games have significantly accelerated the ecological transformation of these venues!

Choosing renewable energy

Paris 2024 is focusing on renewable electricity for the Games, connecting venues to the public network and using renewable electricity from wind or solar power generated in France. The initiative aims to reduce energy consumption, with LED technology reducing energy consumption by -80% compared to standard lighting. Various projects, including photovoltaic panels and innovative solutions, will provide more energy-efficient infrastructures. Enedis and EDF are involved in supplying renewable electricity to the venues, with EDF providing the same quantity of electricity to the grid as consumed by the Games venues.