The public works sector is set to end 2023 with growth of over 4%, according to the FNTP's latest economic outlook. According to the federation, the strong momentum in order intake is essentially due to a number of very large projects that will sustain activity over the coming years. In November 2023, the value of contracts signed reached an all-time high, thanks to the award of the contract to build the Penly EPR nuclear reactors, worth over 4 billion euros. Since January, order intake has jumped by +27.2% compared with 2022 (in constant euros). Since the beginning of the year, the awarding of major projects such as the Toulouse metro, line 15 of the GPE, the EPRs, etc., has complicated the analysis of the sector's activity. In fact, excluding this major project effect, contractors' general opinion of their order book remains stable at average levels, according to the quarterly survey.
Concerns persist for 2024, concerning both the tense financial situation of many companies and the repercussions on TP activities of the construction sector's entry into recession. A stabilization is therefore expected for 2024.
