2023-08-30 08:11:03
The Italian group ENI, which specializes in hydrocarbons, also sells electricity. But, in the present case, its antenna in France must rather make a refund. It is preparing to pay 50 million euros to some 100,000 customers harmed by “overbilling issues”, announced the Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Tuesday, August 29 on RMC. That is, on average, 500 euros per person.
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The damage is sometimes much higher, without even having overconsumed in recent months. This summer, the initiator of a collective of “victims of ENI” testified to a regularization invoice of more than… 9,000 euros.
The 50 million euros to be reimbursed to customers mainly correspond to sums already released by the State for the supplier, within the framework of “tariff shields”. The government set up this system in the midst of the European energy price crisis, to reduce, ultimately, the bill for households and very small businesses.
Problem: ENI did not apply it in full when presenting the summer note to households, according to the ministry. “The amounts received under the shields must be returned to consumers”underlines the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE).
Engie summoned
On August 23, in Paris, Agnès Pannier-Runacher summoned the French management of ENI – which did not answer our questions. The discussion was held in the presence of the CRE and another independent authority, the national energy mediator.
The same day, the minister also summoned the representatives of Engie (ex-GDF). Because the main gas supplier in the country also markets electricity, in the same way as all the competitors of the historical electrician, EDF. “Engie applies price shields to all its energy offers”, underlines the company. Here again, some catch-up bills have nevertheless been significant.
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The national energy ombudsman mainly criticizes the leaders of Engie, as well as those of ENI: “During contract renewals in 2022, they did not transparently and understandably inform their customers that prices were increasing. » Since the consumer code requires clear communication, Ms. Pannier-Runacher asked to verify that there was no« anomalies » or “lack of information”, she said on RMC. In charge of disputes between suppliers and private individuals, the mediator also suggests capping the increase in the price of energy, when this occurs during the contract.
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