Graph: How do French electricity prices compare with other EU countries and UK
Costs have steadily risen across the last decade
Electricity prices are set to change in France this year
Vchal / Shutterstock
France’s electricity prices have risen over the last ten years, but still remain among the lowest in Europe, data shows.
Notably, rises in France have been steady, with the country largely managing to avoid a large surge in prices following the start of the War in Ukraine in 2022 that affected several EU counterparts.
This was in part due to government measures including ‘energy shields’ that absorbed increases.
However, whereas prices in other countries stabilised in the following years – in some cases even falling behind pre-conflict levels – France has seen prices continue to increase.
The graph below shows average prices per k/Wh for residents with an average household electricity consumption (excluding places of commerce, etc). Note, it only shows figures up to 2024, where full data is available.
Electricity in UK more expensive
According to UK energy watchdog Ofgem, the average UK household is expected to pay 27.03p/kWh in spring 2025, around the same as in France in 2024.
Estimates are that in Q1, Britons paid 28.6p/kWh which was higher than in France.
However, with taxes included, the prices per hour for UK households increases to 31.2p/kWh.
In addition those items which require more electricity also cost significantly more to run than in other European countries, raising overall annual costs.
One reason for prices in the UK is the high ‘wholesale costs’ paid by suppliers for raw energy to supply consumers – with this price often passed onto the consumer.
In France state energy supplier EDF produces a large portion of the nation's energy needs through nuclear power, managing wholesale costs.
Several changes to French electricity contracts in 2025
Several changes to the electricity market are expected in the coming months in France.
One major change is to how ‘off-peak’ and ‘peak’ energy hours are calculated for those on tariffs which use this system.
Read more: Timing of off-peak hours for electricity in France is changing this year
At the same time, a price drop of 15% in February for those on regulated contracts may be impacted by prices rising as much as 20% in the coming months, cancelling out the prior reduction.
Read more: Electricity bills at risk of steep rises, claims French consumer association
These rapid shifts have led to consumers being advised to check the contract they are on is still the best available, and to compare offers elsewhere to see if they can benefit from a better price.
Our article below reviews how to compare electricity deals in France.
Read more: How to change electricity contract in France
