The electricity supplier Ohm Énergie had been in the sights of the energy mediator for several years. In its 2023 annual report, the organization even sent it a red card for having voluntarily undervalued the amount of their customers’ monthly payments. Suppliers Eni, Engie and Wekiwi are also cited. But the matter does not end there. The consumer defense association CLCV announced this Friday that it had filed a complaint in Paris against Ohm Énergie “for the sudden and spectacular increase in its prices in August 2022” and that she considers “as likely to amount to a deceptive commercial practice. »
“Price doubled during the summer”
Ohm Énergie has applied a 105% increase in its electricity rate to nearly 160,000 customers from September 1, 2022. “The material elements at our disposal lead us to believe that a dazzling increase in prices was planned by Ohm Énergie as soon as its low-cost offers were marketed. Ohm Énergie first undertook a very aggressive commercial approach to attracting consumers. Customers were attracted in spring 2022 by low-price offers even though the company was likely planning to double the price during the summer.writes the CLCV in its press release.
Suppliers suspected of “enrichment”
At the same time, the regulated sales tariff (TRV) had not increased since the government had deployed a tariff shield since the start of the energy crisis. The energy mediator also reminds that the return to TRV is free and without cost for all customers, even those, attracted by attractive prices, who have chosen to commit to an alternative supplier. It is also on this freedom that malicious suppliers play: leave us or pay more!
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“Suspicions of enrichment”
Already in July 2023, the CLCV had questioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) on “suspicions of enrichment” from certain alternative energy suppliers who would benefit from Regulated Access to Historic Nuclear Electricity (Arenh). This authorizes the purchase at a reduced price (€42 per megawatt hour compared to almost €100 on the markets) of nuclear electricity produced by EDF.
After lowering prices to recruit customers, these suppliers overestimated their needs and then resold energy purchased at low cost at a high price. However, a control of deviations a posteriori takes place and disproportionate abuse is limited. Yet, “the more EDF’s competitors declare large volumes, the higher the regulated tariff, to which three quarters of French households still subscribe, will be”, recalls François Carlier, the general delegate of the association. After the 10% increase on 1er February 2024, another is expected for the 1er next August.
