Millions of French people affected by this historic increase in the price of gas

Gas prices will increase again. In fact, a new tax will increase which will have an impact on the prices charged.

In 2023, gas prices struggled to come down, which added financial pressure considerable impact on households. And the year 2025 will not be better.

The price of gas increased in 2024

Last year, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) explained that high prices are partly due to the commercial strategies of suppliers. “Suppliers freely construct their offers according to their conditions.”

And that's not all, the CRE added that they are therefore “free in their commercial choices, but also contractual conditions that they propose.”

Already last November, gas prices continued to increase. The price per kilowatt hour (kWh) for “hot water and cooking” rose from 0.093 euros to 0.098 euros, an increase which is not not gone unnoticed.

The latest barometer from the National Energy Mediator (MNE) is therefore wants alarming. “70% of French people have noticed an increase in their bills. 80% of households reduce their heating use in winter.

Moreover, “31% of consumers, particularly those under 35, struggle to pay their bills”. Alarming energy poverty according to the Environment and Conservation Agency mastery of energy (Ademe).

Nearly 12 million French people suffer energy poverty. This situation could get worse as prices are expected to rise further.

High cost of maintaining the distribution network

One of the factors contributing to this increase is the high cost of maintaining the gas distribution network. With its 200,000 km of pipeline, its relaxation stations and its infrastructure, network maintenance costs 1.8 billion euros per year.

An amount directly reflected on invoices. The decrease of the number subscribersdown 9% in two years, accentuates the costs for the remaining customers.

According to the CRE, the latter will therefore have to pay even more from July 2024. With an increase maintenance costs estimated at +30% after four years of stability.

RMC reports that this increase will result in an increase of 6.3% for heating. An increase of 11.3% for hot water, or around 57 additional euros per year for a person heating with gas.

These increases risk further reducing the number of consumers. With a forecast of 150,000 customers less each year.

In the longer term, gas consumption in France could fall by 50% or more by 2050. According to CRE. Faced with these prospects, households are forced to make difficult choices to limit their consumption.

Gas prices expected to increase in 2025

As winter gradually sets in in France and heating comes back into service, gas bills continue to add to household budgets. Around 11 million households use this daily energynot only for heating.

From January 2025, the State plans to quadruple the VAT rate applied to gas subscription. This measure aims to align French legislation with the requirements of the European Union. A bill that gets complicated.

From January 1, VAT on subscription will increase uniformly to 20%. If the price of they have gas kWh decreases in 2025, this increase in VAT could be offset by a reduction in the cost of consumption.

However, nothing is guaranteed, and for many households whose contract is expiring, the situation could get worse. Base subscription prices have already increased significantly.

Which therefore makes the outlook not very encouraging. In summary, this increase in VAT, although imposed by obligations European, represents a new burden for French households.

With an uncertain energy context and bills always heavierthe start of the year therefore promises to be complicated for many households. The year 2025 therefore already promises to be complicated.