Lhe end of 2022 was marked by the difficulties of many craftsmen and small traders who in recent months have seen their electricity bills multiplied by five or ten, sometimes even more. The government has stepped up to the plate, pointing the finger at the responsibility of energy suppliers accused of profiting from the crisis on the backs of consumers.
In particular, they are accused of having concluded or renewed contracts at prices much higher than those currently observed on the wholesale electricity market, and of not allowing their customers to benefit from the new market conditions. , much more favorable.
Establishment of a single tariff
After consultation with the main suppliers, the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire announced on January 6 the establishment of a single rate of 280 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) for the 600,000 very small businesses (TPE) which have renewed their contract from the second half of 2022 and who do not benefit from the regulated electricity sales tariff (TRVE), reserved for households and VSEs with a power of less than 36 kilovolt-amperes (kVA).
This new rate will apply from the January invoice (non-retroactive) and for the whole of 2023, simply by sending a request form from the customer to his supplier. The cost of the measure, which has not yet been quantified, will be shared between the State and the suppliers. And it will be very expensive for the State if wholesale prices continue to fall in the coming months…
How is the price of electricity determined for businesses? They sign a so-called “market offer” supply contract, the price of which is freely negotiated with the supplier. This price may be a variable price indexed to that of the wholesale market, but it is often a fixed price for a period of one to three years, determined in advance when the contract is opened. or its renewal by tacit agreement.
The price paid by the consumer covers the cost linked to the purchase of electricity on the wholesale market, increased by a premium covering the risks associated with the supply activity, as well as the supplier’s margin. It also includes tolls for access to the transmission and distribution networks – set by the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) – and taxes. Tolls and taxes together represent on average 50% of the tax-inclusive invoice of companies (2021 figures).
A never-perfect “cover”
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