OPERAT is evolving, here is what to remember from the decree "Absolute Value VI"
The Eco Energy Tertiary system continues its regulatory structuring with the publication, at the beginning of October 2025, of the new decree "Absolute Value VI".
This text, highly anticipated by public and private stakeholders in the tertiary sector, marks a major step in the implementation of the Tertiary Decree, finally setting the missing absolute values, consolidating the role of OPERAT as the unique national platform, and updating several technical calculation elements.
This evolution confirms the increasing maturity of the system and its establishment as a central tool for the energy transition of the French tertiary sector.
All tertiary sectors now have 2030 objectives
Until now, several activities were still outside the logic of "absolute values," due to a lack of available references to measure their energy performance. The decree "Absolute Value VI" fills this gap by defining quantified objectives for reducing energy consumption by 2030 for the remaining sectors.
Among the new entrants are:
the retail and shopping centers,
the cinemas and cultural venues,
the funeral services,
the banks and financial institutions,
as well as other specific tertiary activities (private education, places of worship, etc.).
These absolute values add to those already published in previous decrees (I to V), covering the majority of the tertiary spectrum (offices, hospitality, public education, health, logistics, etc.).
👉 In practical terms, this means that no tertiary activity is now without a regulatory trajectory.
Each building, regardless of its function, can now be evaluated against an energy performance threshold expressed in kWh/m²/year, adjusted according to its type and use.
These new values allow for:
ensuring equity among different types of buildings,
to simplify the monitoring and comparison of performances on a national scale,
and to strengthen the credibility of the Eco Energy Tertiary system in light of the European carbon neutrality objectives.
OPERAT becomes the sole reference platform for the Tertiary Decree
Another significant change: OPERAT is now the only official channel for monitoring the obligations of the Tertiary Decree.
Until now, some stakeholders could still refer to external annexes (notably annex VII) to complete their reporting.
From now on, the entry, tracking, and management of data is done exclusively on OPERAT, the platform developed and administered by ADEME.
This reorientation offers several major advantages:
Centralization of information: all consumption data (electricity, gas, heat, cold, etc.) are gathered in a single space, facilitating multi-site management.
Traceability and compliance: OPERAT guarantees the reliability of the transmitted data and their compliance with regulatory requirements, thus limiting interpretation errors.
Collaborative management: the platform facilitates coordination between owners, operators, and agents, allowing for delegation and pooling of energy monitoring.
For technical managers, this evolution simplifies administrative processes and allows for obtaining a consolidated view of the energy trajectory of their real estate portfolio.
OPERAT thus becomes a true tool for managing and reporting carbon, beyond its initial declarative function.
A transitional phase until July 1, 2026
The government has chosen to introduce a transitional phase of nearly two years to gradually assist businesses and communities in adopting the new framework.
Until July 1, 2026, two major obligations will become optional:
the annual compliance certificate,
and the mandatory public display of energy results.
However, these two features are already available in OPERAT for stakeholders wishing to anticipate and comply before the deadline.
This period of flexibility aims to:
give time for tertiary stakeholders to adapt their internal tools,
allow integrators and data platforms to synchronize with OPERAT,
and stabilize processes before the generalization of controls and sanctions provided by regulation.
In other words, the next two years will be crucial to consolidate the governance of energy data within organizations and prepare for the scaling up of the system.
Updated technical annexes for more precise monitoring
The "Absolute Value VI" decree is accompanied by the publication of new versions of the technical annexes of the Tertiary Decree.
These documents, often complex but essential, define the calculation methods, conversion factors, and energy performance indicators used by OPERAT.
Among the main developments:
Update of conversion factors for different energy sources (gas, electricity, waste heat, etc.), to better reflect the reality of French and European energy mixes.
Adjustment of reference tables, particularly for atypical or multifunctional buildings.
Clarification of the calculation modes for final and corrected consumptions, incorporating climatic parameters (degree-days unified, weather corrections).
These updates, although technical at first glance, have a direct impact on reported energy balances.
They ensure better comparability over time and allow decision-makers to base their strategies on more reliable data that better represent operational realities.
A new energy indicator: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
The last notable addition concerns the integration of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) among the energy vectors now tracked in OPERAT.
Its carbon emission factor is set at 0.238 kgCO₂e/kWh, in line with the values used in regulatory assessments and ADEME reference documents.
This innovation responds to a shift in usage: the use of LNG has increased in recent years, particularly in the logistics, port, and industrial sectors with storage facilities.
By integrating LNG, the system enhances the completeness of its energy inventory and allows for a more detailed monitoring of emissions associated with fossil fuel consumption.
This is also a sign of convergence between the OPERAT references, GHG assessments, and ISO 50001 approaches, promoting a consistent reading of carbon reporting at the national level.
What to remember: a stabilized and more operational framework
With this decree, the Tertiary Eco Energy system reaches a form of regulatory maturity.
The main lines are now known, the objectives are set, and the tools are in place.
In summary:
All tertiary sectors now have their absolute reference values for 2030;
OPERAT becomes the single point of entry for data entry and monitoring;
A transitional period extends until July 1, 2026 to allow all stakeholders to adapt;
The technical annexes are updated for greater precision;
And LNG is now integrated as a tracked energy source in the system.
These developments reflect the government's desire to enhance the coherence and clarity of energy management in the tertiary sector, which represents more than 940 million m² in France.
How UrbanThink can support you
Beyond regulatory compliance, the success of the Tertiary Decree relies on the ability to structure, ensure reliability, and value energy data.
It is in this context that UrbanThink Platform and its ThinkCities® solution already supports numerous public and private managers:
Connection to OPERAT data and energy meters (API, automatic imports, ADEME files)
Monitoring of consumption and reduction trajectories via interactive dashboards
Multi-energy carbon analysis, incorporating official emission factors
Report generation and visualizations facilitating internal or external communication (CSR, investors, institutional partners)
With these tools, it becomes possible not only to manage energy performance but also to value the efforts made in a logic of adaptation, resilience, and sustainable decarbonization.
