Millions of French people can benefit from a change in their gas bill to save up to 83 euros.
The bills of many households will explode again. Cooking or using your heating will cost a little more in a few days. All people living in the 11 million homes powered by gas are affected by this new price increase. However, it is possible to partially avoid this umpteenth blow to the wallet.
Especially since this new price increase comes at a time when gas prices have already exploded in recent years, particularly as a result of the war in Ukraine. In addition, certain government decisions have led to an increase in prices, putting a strain on the budgets of many French households.
In January 2024, the government doubled the excise tax on natural gas, formerly called the domestic consumption tax on natural gas (TICGN). This tax increased from 8.37 euros to 16.37 euros per Megawatt hour (MWh), leading to an increase, ranging from 21 to 220 euros per year, in consumer bills. Then, in April 2024, a new increase occurred, this time linked to the increase in the gas distribution tariff (ATRT) by 19% on average, resulting in an average increase of 17 euros per year for consumers.
In order to support gas subscribers, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has published a benchmark gas price every month since July 2023. This indicator, which replaced the regulated tariff (TRV), serves as a reference for consumers to compare offers from different suppliers. This benchmark price is a valuable tool for consumers, allowing them to know if they are paying a reasonable rate for their gas.
For the month of May 2024, the CRE announced a new increase in the benchmark gas price. The latter increased by 1.4% compared to April, going from 109.71 to 111.19 euros per MWh. This increase is explained by a slight increase in wholesale market prices of natural gas, which had been falling since the end of 2023. In short, this means that energy suppliers will pass on this increase in bills, since many ‘among them index their price to the CRE benchmark price.
So, to save money, you must go to the National Energy Mediator’s website where you can compare offers from different gas suppliers. If we are to believe the government site, a household whose gas consumption is at the same level as the national average (5.7 MWh per year) pays a bill of 757 euros every year. With the new price increase, the bill will increase to 765 euros per year.
Currently, for such consumption, only 7 energy suppliers offer prices more advantageous than the CRE benchmark price. Certain offers from TotalEnergies, EDF or Mint Energie allow you to make significant savings. That of OHM energy, set at 682 euros per year, allows you to save 83 euros on your gas bill.
