Energy: 63% of French people do not trust the government

A marked lack of confidence

As winter temperatures return, many households are preparing to turn the heating back on in their homes, with some apprehension about the increase this will generate on their energy bills. While the State has set up a price shield on gas and electricity, intended to compensate for price increases, the latter will end in a few months, in February 2025. Enough to alarm the French, 86% of whom fear an increase in their energy bills when the shield ends.

So, can we count on the government to limit the rise in energy prices? The answer is no for nearly 2/3 of French people (63%) who doubt the ability of our leaders to prevent prices from soaring. A figure that climbs to 73% for the 65 and over age group, who are the most skeptical, while the youngest (18-24 years old) are 41% to give their trust.

When it comes to energy policy, some French people seem helpless. While more than 8 out of 10 French people know the amount of their electricity bill (which still leaves 14% of individuals who do not know it, with an over-representation of the 18-24 age group where only 63% of them say they know the amount), the reasons for the latest increases in energy prices remain obscure for some. Only 1 out of 2 French people (57%) are able to say why prices have increased.

Nearly 8 out of 10 French people want the role of renewable energies to be taught in schools

Faced with the energy crisis that we are experiencing, and which is expected to persist or even intensify in the years to come, renewable energies (RE) represent an asset for reducing household energy bills. The French are well aware of the interest that this represents, particularly in terms of solar energy.

But in this sector, which has seen scams multiply in recent years, individuals are cautious: 44% do not dare to install solar panels at home for fear of being scammed. A figure that rises to 55% for CSP+ (compared to 48% for CSP- and 36% for the “inactive” category), who seem more wary.

Respondents are also aware of their lack of knowledge on the subject: less than half (46%) know what the reliable sources of information are on solar energy, with a marked gap between the youngest (57% for the 18-34 age group) and the oldest (40% for those aged 65 and over).

Therefore, nearly 8 out of 10 French people (76%) say that the role and functioning of renewable energies should be taught at school. In the 25-34 age group, 82% are even in favor of this education in renewable energies.

For Clara Trevisiol, co-founder of Monabee: "The results of this study reflect above all a major fear of the French: that of seeing their energy bill soar, without government support. While the tariff shield has helped to contain the latest increases, its planned end in early 2025 raises questions about what comes next. While the Prime Minister has declared that he wants to "act on the energy supply [...] by continuing to develop renewable energies", it is clear that at present, France is behind in its objectives in the development of renewable energies and that it is necessary to accelerate their deployment across the country. The French people's request to teach the role and functioning of renewable energies in schools clearly expresses their desire to better master this subject. It also demonstrates that households have clearly understood the direct link between the possibility of producing their own electricity, via solar self-consumption, and the savings that this can generate on the bill. Let's bet that the new government will tackle this issue head on to allow everyone to access cheaper and carbon-free energy."

Methodology : barometer carried out by the OpinionWay institute for Monabee, with a sample of 1010 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over. Survey and analysis of the results carried out in September/October 2024.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.