Energy Pricing: Why You (Really) Need to Monitor Supplier Emails

The government is currently increasing calls for Energy saving. Consumers, who have not consumed more, are screaming. They have just received a letter or email from the electricity supplier telling them about it Their prices will go upthat’s pretty much it.

asked by ActuaryNational Energy Broker, Olivier Chalan-Belval, confirms “increasing disputes” on the subject, and points to the regulations: “Consumers in regulated sales tariffs of gas or electricity as well as those with a fixed-rate or index-price contract for regulated tariffs are protected by a shield The tariff established by the government. On the other hand, those who have an indexed price contract in the markets, with alternative suppliers, are not…”

Some suppliers have changed the price or the way they change the prices of existing contracts. They have the right to do so, under certain conditions, and in particular inform at least one month in advance, in a clear and understandable manner.

“It is probably better to change the contract.”

His recommendation is simple: “You need to be very vigilant about messages from your supplier, whether letters or emails. If a “change in pricing or contract” is indicated, it is necessary to compare the new prices with the offers available for subscription. Olivier Chalon insists Belval suggested that perhaps it would be better to change the contract.

Indexed contracts for wholesale prices

If you choose an alternative supplier, which is an indexed contract at wholesale prices, your bill can rise effectively. So much so that some operators are suggesting their customers to leave! And that’s the only good news: there’s a rule that applies to everyone: you can terminate your electricity contract whenever you want and without notice.

If your regular supplier starts charging too high prices right now, it’s because they’re experiencing high wholesale energy prices and are passing it on to you. In this case, more often: the direction of the EDF (Regulated Tariffs, Tariff Shield, etc.) which is currently receiving a call flow. You still have to know that your bill will go up!

Two retirees see their bills double

In France, another part of the price is determined by Arenh (Regulated Access to Historical Nuclear Electricity). All electricity suppliers are allowed to get electricity produced by nuclear power plants at a regulated price.

In Eure, for example, Montfort-sur-Risle retirees Sylvie and Yves Fourcin have learned that their electric bill will rise more than 50% starting in September, he says Pont-Audemer’s Awakening. “Old monthly payment: €583.98. New monthly payment: €902.71.” This is an increase of more than 55%.

Explanation ? The supplier justifies this increase by saying, “The energy market is facing an exceptional and unprecedented situation. The argument seems fast.

Actions against the supplier

On Friday, September 9, 2022, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced that it has filed a lawsuit against its supplier, Ohm Energy, which was founded in 2018, and has 250,000 customers.

The independent authority, headed by former minister Emmanuel Wargon, suspects that the operator purchased nuclear electricity from the Arena, regulated access to historic nuclear electricity, and resold it on the market at a higher price.
The facts are disputed by Ohm Energy, which claims it has “never sold the lowest kilowatt-hours of Arenh on the market,” according to its president, François Joubert, a former engineer at EDF.

“We’re trying to blame [fournisseurs] alternatives, while the authorities are committed to neutrality. (…) Responsibility for the crisis cannot be found among the alternatives, but more so in the catastrophic unavailability of nuclear power”, a response to France Press agency.

A few days ago, CRE announced that it was stepping up its monitoring of the market, calling on suppliers to “adopt responsible behaviour”, in the midst of rising wholesale prices.

Other procedures may follow…

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