Following the new military incursions into Ukraine, energy prices could continue to soar. In France, consumers face ever-higher electricity bills, while consumer advocates are concerned about the long-term impact on lower-income households.
The conflict in Ukraine and its impact on the energy market in Europe continues with new incursions into the Donbass last month. As diplomatic and military tensions intensify, the effects are felt directly on the electricity bills of the French. Between rising kWh prices and the risk of power cuts this winter, consumers are increasingly worried.
Ukrainian incursions: is the war still weighing on the price of kWh in France?
The conflict in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues to disrupt the global energy market. Recent Ukrainian incursions, notably in the Donbass region in August 2024, have disrupted gas and electricity supplies. These new military actions have also targeted several energy infrastructures, already weakened by previous attacks.
As a result, France, which depends in part on gas imports to power its power plants, is seeing electricity prices soar. According to the Commission de rĂ©gulation de l’Ă©nergie (CRE), the price of kWh rose by 15% between June and September 2024, reaching an average rate of 0.21 €/kWh for households. This follows an overall increase of more than 30% since the beginning of the conflict, and experts predict that the situation could worsen if tensions persist.
Risk of cuts this winter: a threat to consumers
In addition to soaring prices, another danger is looming over French consumers: the power cuts this winter. With the reduction in natural gas supplies, France may lack resources to meet electricity demand, especially during cold spells. The government has already discussed the possibility of temporary and localized power cuts to protect the national electricity grid.
According to the Electricity Transmission Network (TEN) operator, there is a “moderate” risk of outages this winter, particularly in case of prolonged tensions in Ukraine. Households in rural areas or in energy-sensitive departments may be the most affected. To this are added concerns about unforeseen outages due to climatic hazards or possible tensions on the European electricity network, interconnected with that of France.
Consumer groups such as UFC-Que Choisir have already sounded the alarm. They fear that these power cuts will exacerbate inequalities, especially for the most vulnerable households, who may see their bills explode despite a forced decline in consumption. These associations call for better anticipation and increased protection for these consumers.
Consumer associations: on the front line to protect French households
In the face of this situation under high voltage, consumer associations play an important role. They have launched several information campaigns to help households reduce their energy consumption and understand the impact of price increases on their bills. UFC-Que Choisir and the CLCV, for example, are increasingly advising French households to turn to renewable energy alternatives and adopt simple gestures to reduce their bills. Reducing heating by one degree or optimizing the use of household appliances are among the recommendations often put forward.
However, these measures are not always sufficient to offset the steep increases in tariffs. The CRE has indicated that the regulated electricity tariff (TRVE) could increase by an additional 10% in early 2025 if the war in Ukraine continues at the same rate. For an average French household, this would represent an annual increase of around €300, according to current projections.
Consumer associations are therefore calling for concrete action by the government. They are calling for an expanded tariff shield to limit the impact of these increases on the most vulnerable households. They also advocate better regulation of the energy market and greater transparency of electricity suppliers, some of which are accused of taking advantage of the situation to increase their margins.
Source:Â
https://www.fournisseur-energie.com/comprendre/electricite/
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