Evolution of the French electricity bill

After a year of tariff shield, regulated electricity tariffs increased by 15% in February 2023. According to CRE, the increase without tariff shield would have been +99% including tax. The State, through public finances, will therefore bear 43% of our electricity bills in 2023, which represents a cost of €45 billion for the taxpayer.

The price of electricity on the rise

The price of electricity on the markets has increased significantly, forcing the Government to set up a tariff shield. The causes of these increases are multiple:

Strong increase in demand in line with the global economic recovery
Increase in the price of electricity indexed to a rise in the price of gas linked to the war in Ukraine
Low nuclear production linked to corrosion problems at several plants

[1] INSEE, French electricity expenditure since 1960

[2] Energy Regulation Commission

Despite the increase, the French remain well off in Europe

Evolution of the electricity bill

Here is the impact on the bill of 3 typical households following the increase in the price of electricity by 15% including tax in February 2023.

The 15% increase is the result of a 3 to 5% increase in the subscription price depending on the power, and an increase in the kWh price of 18,5% on average. Thus, a household consuming a lot of electricity may see an increase of more than 15%. Conversely, households consuming very little may experience increases of less than 15%.

[1] Simulation for an annual consumption of 2400 kWh, 6 kVA meter, Base option

[2] Simulation for an annual consumption of 8500 kWh, 9 kVA meter, Base option

[3] Simulation for an annual consumption of 14.000 kWh, 9 kVA meter, peak hours / off-peak hours option

How to reduce your electricity bill?

-277 €[3] (-9%) Choose a competitive alternative supplier, with a fixed or blocked price offer.
-€416[4] (-14%) Track your consumption online, for example from the Hello Watt app, based on Linky data.
-€500[5] (-17%) Insulate your home, starting with lost attics and walls thanks to state aid.
-€833[6] (-28%) Switch to self-consumption thanks to the installation of photovoltaic solar panels.
-€833[7] (-28%) Install an air/air heat pump to replace electric heating.

[1] Hello Watt estimate for a 100 m² all-electric house occupied by a typical family of 4 people. Electricity price at EDF's TRV (February 2023 tariffs).

[2] Electrical appliances, household appliances and lighting.

[3] Estimate for a market offer with a 10% discount on the price excluding VAT of the regulated sales tariff.

[4] Source: Hello Watt study of 170.000 app users

[5] Estimate for a 30% reduction in heating consumption.

[6] Estimate for a house in the center of France and meeting the criteria defined in (1), with a solar installation of 6 kWp, i.e. 16 panels, 30 m².

[7] Estimate for a 50% reduction in heating consumption.