Good news on electricity prices for millions in France
Consumers are set to benefit from falling costs despite an end to the price protection shield. Bills look significantly lower in comparison with current prices in UK
The falling price is largely due to France's increased nuclear production, which is up 20% on last year's
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The French measure that protected people from high energy costs during the energy crisis of 2022 is to end in February but despite this most consumers can expect to see bills fall.
The end of the price shield, bouclier tarifaire, introduced to protect households from the soaring energy costs seen elsewhere in Europe, was confirmed in a government decree on December 28.
The high prices came during the energy crisis of 2021 and were exacerbated by the war in Ukraine in 2022.
The measure essentially equated to the state subsidising on average more than a third (37%) of household electricity bills by limiting the increases of ongoing contracts to 15%.
This cost the state €26.4billion over the course of 2022 and 2023, according to data from the French energy watchdog, la Commission de régulation de l’énergie.
Even with the price shield energy prices increased on average by 4% in 2022, 14% in 2023 and 8% in 2024.
The new government decree confirms that the protection measure will end on February 1, 2025.
Read more: When are EDF’s ‘red days’ which see prices rise for Tempo contract users?
Good news for consumers
However, consumers can actually expect electricity prices in France to fall by up to 14% when the new regulated prices are set in February.
Read more: 10 changes for everyday life in France in 2025
This is in large part due to a significant drop in the market price of electricity, aided by an increase in France’s nuclear production, which according to nuclear electricity producer EDF was 19.7% higher in November 2024 than in November 2023.
This natural drop in the market price was initially expected to be offset by a new tax presented by the former government of Michel Barnier, however this measure has been withdrawn.
The falling price will mean that in February 2025, one kilowatt hour should cost around €0.215 net, compared with €0.2516 net today.
The average French household reportedly consumes 5,681kWh of electricity a year, amounting to a current annual bill of €1,429.34.
In comparison the price of electricity in the UK stands at €0.30 net per kilowatt hour, which would cost €1,704 for the same annual household electricity use.
The price in the the US is significantly lower at €0.16 net per kilowatt hour.
Around 56% of households in France pay the regulated electricity price, which is also known as EDF’s ‘tarif bleu’ and is set based on negotiations between the state energy watchdog, energy suppliers and the government according to market data from the previous two years.
Read more: Six tips for comparing energy suppliers in France to lower bills
Electricity deals which follow the market price are more subject to fluctuation and can be higher or lower than the regulated price.
