France Adds 30,000 Air Conditioning Units in Preparation for Heatwave

Approximately 1,000 air conditioning units will be distributed to hospitals in the Paris region by the end of this week as part of France’s preparations for the next heatwave, BFM TV reported on Friday.

This move follows the French government’s announcement that it has ordered 30,000 AC units for hospitals across the country to enhance readiness for future heatwaves.

While awaiting distribution from the government, several hospitals in the Paris area have proactively purchased additional air conditioning units independently.

“I believe this is very important and absolutely necessary to face a second heatwave, especially if it occurs in close succession,” said Emmanuel Raffoux, Head of the Haematology Department at Saint-Louis Hospital, to BFM TV.

“Our bodies have been under pressure and are trying to recover. Meanwhile, patients treated here are likely to face a second heatwave during the same period of care,” he added.

During last week’s heatwave, temperatures in some hospital wards were recorded reaching 32 degrees Celsius. This condition prompted public hospitals in Paris to rush additional AC purchases.

The Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) stated that it has installed and purchased 800 AC units between the end of the 2025 summer season and mid-2026. Additionally, the institution managed to secure an extra 1,000 AC units in less than a week.

AP-HP hopes the government can reimburse these procurement costs following the implementation of the national programme to provide 30,000 AC units for hospitals throughout France.

France has experienced extremely high temperatures in recent days. In many regions, temperatures have been recorded exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, driving an increased demand for air conditioning equipment.