Electricity in Your French Property: Energy Providers, Tariffs, and Fittings

Electricity is big business in France. France is the world’s largest net exporter of electricity and a key supplier for neighbouring countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK. Unlike other western countries, France generates some 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, with around 12% coming from hydroelectric power stations and around 17% coming from recycled nuclear fuel*. All of this means that France’s electricity is among the cheapest in Europe—good news for homeowners.

The vast majority of electricity in France is supplied by the state-owned EDF (Electricité de France), although there are now also several other electricity providers, and it is worth shopping around for the best deal (more about that in a moment).

First, let’s get into the basics of setting up and connecting electricity at your French home.

Setting up Electricity in Your French Home

Whether you’ve just signed the Acte de Vente on your French property or are renting an apartment, one of the first steps when moving into your new home will be to set up your electricity.

Moving Home: Setting Up Your Electricity

When moving into a new house, you should contact EDF or your chosen electricity provider at the earliest opportunity (or a minimum of two days prior to moving). Request a meter reading (relevé de compteur) and a date for you to take over the existing contract or (if you opt for a different energy provider) start your new contract.

This can be set up over the phone or online (here’s the link to the EDF application page), and you will need the details of your property, your move-in date, and ideally, the Point de Livraison (PDL), which is the 14-digit meter number found on electricity bills (you should ask the previous occupant or seller for this).

When you set up your contract, expect to be asked for ID and proof of ownership or residence (such as your rental contract or Compromis de Vente), your residence permit (carte de séjour) if you have one, and your bank account RIB. To change an existing electricity supply into your name, there is an ‘access’ fee (frais d’accès), currently €18.46, including tax with EDF. If you are not resident in France, you may be required to pay a deposit, which is refundable against future bills.

Similarly, if you are leaving a French property, you must tell your current electricity provider a minimum of two days before you leave, and you should also organise a meter reading.

Connecting Electricity in a New Property

Enedis is France’s electricity grid operator (a subsidiary of EDF), responsible for more than 95% of electricity throughout the country. This is the company that oversees connecting meters, meter readings, and power failures. If you are connecting a new house to the grid for the first time, you can request a meter connection (demande de raccordement) from Enedis. This can be done via phone or online here. EDF and other electricity suppliers will also be able to arrange this on your behalf.

Linky Smart Meters

The Linky™ Meter is a smart electricity meter that monitors your daily electricity consumption and transfers the information directly to Enedis, allowing your electricity provider to receive real-time information on your energy consumption. Essentially this means that your bills can be calculated based on your actual usage rather than an estimate based on periodic readings. By the end of 2021, 35 million Linky meters will have been installed throughout France, and these are now the standard meter for all homes moving forward.

As in other countries, it pays to shop around when choosing an energy provider. In France, there are two main options: choose one of the two state-owned companies providing regulated tariffs (tarifs réglementés) or choose another provider offering market-based prices (tarifs de marché).

Let’s break down both options.

EDF and Engie

EDF and Engie are France’s two state-owned energy providers, offering both electricity and gas to domestic and business properties. Historically, EDF has been responsible for supplying all of France’s electricity needs, but the market was deregulated for consumers in 2007, and since then, a number of competitors have sprung up.

It was also in 2007 that EDF was split up into two companies: EDF (offering electricity) and GDF, now Engie (offering gas). These days both EDF and Engie provide electricity and gas in competition with each other, although EDF remains the main provider of electricity, supplying a vast majority of French homes and businesses (they have more than 28 million customers in France).

In fact, EDF is so synonymous with electricity supply in France that you may be advised by your landlord or notaire to “appelez EDF” (call EDF) in order to set up your electricity—such is the assumption that you will choose this provider. Many French citizens remain sceptical of or even unaware of the many different options available, but this is slowly changing.

Regulated tariffs

EDF and Engie remain the only companies able to offer regulated tariffs (Tariff Bleu), which are fixed rates set by the French government. The benefit of these is that the rates are fixed, although there are typically annual increases and sometimes additional tax increases to account for.

Note that regulated tariffs on electricity for businesses and professional accounts have been stopped as of January 1^st, 2021. However, regulated tariffs continue to be available for individuals and micro-entrepreneurs with contracts for less than 36 kVA.

Whether or not this is the best solution for your household depends upon your power and energy consumption needs (we’ll get into that later). However, if looking solely at the per-unit rate (kWh), you will likely find more competitive prices from the market-based tariffs.

For expats in France, one notable benefit of EDF is that they have a comprehensive English-language service. This includes an English website, English-speaking advisors on call six days a week, and customisable payment options which do not penalise non-residents. All of these points make them a strong contender for second-home owners or those for whom speaking French is a challenge.

Other Energy Providers

All of the other energy providers in France provide market-based tariffs, which means the prices are subject to fluctuations in the energy market. In practice, this means that prices are often lower than those of EDF, at least for the average domestic household. Some providers also offer fixed-rate contracts for an initial period, allowing for a certain amount of security over rates, and there is often a range of options available.

Along with competitive prices, alternative energy providers may be a good choice for those concerned about using green and renewable energy options. Some also provide additional deals, promotions, or incentives, so it’s a good idea to compare multiple providers before making your choice.

Alternate and Green Energy Providers

There are many different electricity providers now, and you may also find small, local companies offering competitive rates. Here are some of the most notable:

• Total Direct Energie: With more than 5 million nationwide clients, this is the number one competitor to the state-owned suppliers. Total Direct Energie’s electricity offers are all guaranteed to be below the pre-tax regulated tariff (at the time of subscription), and electricity is sourced from 100% renewable sources. Offers include a one-year fixed-rate contract.
• OHM Energie: Electricity is sourced from 100% renewable sources and there are some competitive offers, encouraging customers to reduce their energy consumption and save money.
• Leclerc énergies: In conjunction with the supermarket chain, customers can use the mobile app to check your consumption and the market rate, and adjust their usage according to fees. Prices follow the market rate, and an added bonus is that you can earn money on your E.Leclerc card as you pay your bills, meaning you save money on your groceries too.
• Alterna: Alterna has a choice of electricity and green energy for both individuals and businesses, and rates are based on supplier costs rather than the regulated tariffs.
• Proxelia: This one is for those based in the North of France only. Proxelia provides domestic and business contracts with guaranteed percentage reductions against the regulated tariff.
• ilek: Among the most innovative and transparent green energy providers on the market, ilek allows you to choose your energy source: hydro, wind, or solar, and also encourages customers to install their own solar panels.
• Plüm Energie: specialising in green and locally sourced energy, Plum offers some innovative ways to monitor and conserve your energy usage (and therefore reduce your bills). It’s also one of few suppliers that allow second-home owners to pay using a European (non-French) bank account.
• Enercoop: A green energy cooperative where electricity is provided by local producers from 100% renewable sources. Rates are based on production costs and tend to be a bit higher, but it’s one of the greenest energy providers on the market and recognised as ‘truly green’ by Greenpeace.
• Planète Oui: 100% green electricity (also recognised by Greenpeace) with rates that match or beat the regulated tariffs. Rates are best for those with small energy consumption needs (3-6 kVA).
• Mint Energie: Manage your energy consumption via their real-time app and save up to 15% on regulated tariffs (depending on your energy consumption). Electricity is 100% green and local, plus a percentage goes to reforestation projects.
• Greenyellow: In conjunction with the supermarket chain Casino (Monoprix), Greenyellow offers green electricity at competitive prices and real-time app access to monitor your subscription.

The amount you pay for your electricity will not only be determined by the electricity provider you choose but by the power supply required (the amount of electricity delivered to your home) and also by the tariff you choose.

Power Consumption

The first thing you will need to work out is the power supply you need for your home. Most domestic electricity providers have options that range from 3kVA up to 36kVA, and your standing charge (abonnement) will depend on this rate of supply, as well as the tariff you choose.

The power setting is usually shown on your meter (compteur), and possible ratings are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, and 36 kVA.

To calculate the power supply required, make a list of all the electrical appliances you have (plus any you intend to install, such as an electric shower or dishwasher) and the power consumption of each. Add the power consumption of the appliances that you’re likely to operate simultaneously to obtain the total number of kilowatts required. The lowest rates (3 and 6kVA.) don’t cater for electric heating, which needs a power supply of 9 kVA to 18 kVA depending on the heating system. Generally speaking, a small apartment might manage on a 3kVA, while most family homes will need a minimum of 9kVA.

Tariffs

Many electricity suppliers provide different tariffs, which typically follow one of three options:

Basic Tariff: Electricity rates stay the same 24/7, and you pay a monthly fee based on your usage.

Peak/Off-peak Tariff (option heures pleines/heures creuses): Electricity rates vary between a low overnight rate and a higher day rate. The low rate is generally used to heat hot water and charge night storage heaters. Be sure to check the exact time periods. This tariff is generally only available for 6kVA supplies or more.

‘Tempo’ Tariff (option Tempo): – The year is divided into ‘blue’, ‘white’ and ‘red’ days (jours bleus/blancs/rouges), each with different charges for peak and off-peak use as above. This means you might have low rates at weekends or higher rates during colder periods. This tariff is generally only available for 9kVA supplies or more.

Changing Electricity Providers: Can I Switch at Any Time?

Unlike many other contracts where there is often a minimum engagement period, French law prohibits electricity providers from imposing a mandatory commitment. This means your electricity contract cannot impose a minimum 12- or 24-month engagement, and you are free to switch electricity providers at any time without incurring any fees or needing to give a reason. (Note that while this law protects the domestic consumer, this may vary for business contracts with high-power consumption needs.)

If you want to switch providers, the proper procedure is to take out the contract with your new supplier and allow them to terminate the old contract on your behalf. This avoids your electricity being cut off during the transfer process and means your new provider will take care of all the formalities and paperwork.

Comparing Energy Providers

All of the above-listed suppliers allow you to estimate your power usage and tariffs online without any obligation. Another option is to use a price comparison site such as Le Lynx or Les Furets. You will need to provide information, including your postcode, telephone number and email, your PDL (if available) and annual consumption (if you know it).

Depending on your supplier, you can typically choose to pay your electricity bills (factures) monthly or quarterly. Some suppliers offer fixed monthly rates, which will then be adjusted each quarter in accordance with your actual consumption; others bill for your actual consumption. With the installation of the new Linky meters, many suppliers will be looking to move towards billing based on your real-time consumption.

There are three elements to your French electricity bill. Firstly, the standing charge (abonnement), determined by the power supply installed. Secondly, the consumption of electricity units. TVA (Value Added Tax) is applied at 5.5% on the standing charge and 20% on the consumption.

You will also have a number of local taxes (taxes communale/départementale) and a Contribution au Service Public de l’Electricité (CSPE) are also added. These taxes are payable in the same amounts regardless of which supplier you choose.

You can pay your bills by credit card online or by phone, or by cheque, but the most common way to pay is via direct debit (prélèvement).

Our Essential Reading articles cover everything you need to know as a French homeowner from property taxes and home insurance to paying your bills. Perhaps you also need recommendations on removals to France, advice on building and renovations, or tips for managing a second home? FrenchEntrée is here to help! We can even advise on selling your French property.