Electricity bills set to fall by around 10% for millions of households in france

THE RE-EVALUATION AT THE START OF NEXT YEAR IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE GLOBAL TREND OF FALLING ENERGY PRICES Electricity bills for millions of households in France are set to drop by around

10% to 15%, as global energy prices continue to fall.  Households on the standard regulated electricity tariff (tarif bleu) with EDF will see price falls when the bi-annual re-evaluation of

rates comes into force in February 2025.  Those on other contracts, which are not tied to a regulated tariff (around 17.5 million households and businesses) may also see prices drop but this

will depend on their supplier.  The Commission de régulation de l'énergie (national energy commission, or CRE) confirmed the incoming price drops in a statement on Wednesday (September

11).  It gave the example of a family paying an annual electricity bill of €2,000 and said their bill would drop by “at least €200” from February onwards. RE-EVALUATION ALSO FACTORS IN

DELAYED AUGUST INCREASE Energy prices for regulated tariff customers are updated twice per year, in February and August, via information from the CRE.  In February 2024, electricity bills

increased by around 9%, mainly due to the reintroduction of a tax that was suspended during the 2022 energy crisis. In August, bills were set to rise again, this time by around 1% as an

increase in tariff costs for using the French electrical grid was set to be passed onto consumers.  The CRE however recommended that the implementation of these increased fees was delayed,

which the government accepted. These network fees will now be included in the re-evaluation in February 2025 - however even after they are factored in bills will still drop.  The current

electricity prices on the global market – around €60 - €70 per Megawatt hour (MWh) are still higher than those prior to 2022.  The Russian invasion of Ukraine, and a series of temporary

closures and repair works at a number of EDF’s nuclear facilities, caused energy prices to rise by as much as 43% from 2022 onwards.  This was despite the government’s ‘energy shield’ taking

part of the blow.  However, with many of these technical issues resolved, and energy prices now stabilising, prices will fall, if not to pre-2022 levels, then at least to lower than in

2024.  Read more: Households in France without a Linky meter to suffer additional costs PRICE DROPS MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATE FOR SOME Homeowners will not have to do anything to benefit from the

price changes as the new costs will be implemented directly by EDF. However, depending on how you pay your bill, you may not immediately see the difference.  For example, if you pay your

bill monthly via a direct debit, then this will likely remain the same until your next ‘régularisation’ – the time when your supplier looks at the difference between your monthly estimate

and actual consumption.  This difference is then refunded (or, if you have used more than expected, you will need to pay the difference).  Those with a tarif bleu can see their actual

monthly energy consumption via their EDF account online, helping them estimate whether they will receive a refund or have to pay more.  Read more: How to contest increased or ‘catch up’

energy bills in France