The news is likely to make people cringe. As winter sets in, the benchmark gas sales price (PRVG) published by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) starts to rise again from December 2024. With the increase in seasonal consumption, households are already weakened by previous surges in prices must expect an even steeper bill.
A rebound in gas prices on the eve of winter
The PRVG, a monthly indicator published by the CRE since the end of regulated tariffs in June 2023, will see a notable increase in December 2024. For households using gas for cooking or hot water, the average price including tax per kilowatt hour will increase to €0.14135, up 2.2%. Those who heat with gas will see the price reach €0.11237, an increase of 2.8%.. This increase comes just after a temporary drop of 1% in November, making the announcement all the more worrying for consumers.
This increase comes at the most critical time: winter, a period when household energy demand explodes. Heating is becoming more expensive while natural gas remains an essential source for many homes. « December’s increases reflect current market volatility, exacerbated by increased winter demand and a tense international context », notes the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir. Temperatures are dropping, but bills are skyrocketing.
Why is the PRVG climbing again?
Despite stability in subscription prices since July (€114.30 for cooking/hot water and €277 for heating), it is the cost per kilowatt hour which penalizes users. The slight drop in November was only a short-lived lull. The PRVG, which serves as a compass for comparing suppliers’ offers, is freely followed by the latter, but around a third of market offers align with it. Result: increases on the contracts of many customers.
Several factors explain this rise. First, the increase in the access tariff to distribution networks (ATRD) in July 2024 left its mark on operating costs. Then, the international situation remains fragile, with supply difficulties and geopolitical tensions weighing heavily on the gas markets. This combination of parameters makes forecasts complex and fluctuations unpredictable.
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