Energy in France 2026
The regulated electricity tariff (TRV) is offered by EDF and the local distribution companies. The regulated gas tariff ended on 30 June 2023, and ARENH, the regulated access to historic nuclear electricity, ends on 31 December 2025 according to the CRE. This English-language hub gathers our 9 in-depth guides to help you compare suppliers, claim aid and cut your bill.
Key Takeaways
- Alternative electricity suppliers compete with EDF on market-price offers. Compare them on the public comparator at energie-info.fr.
- The regulated gas tariff ended on 30 June 2023: residential gas customers now have a market offer.
- Switching supplier is free and causes no electricity or gas cut. You only have to subscribe to the new contract: the old one is terminated automatically.
- The chèque énergie is sent in April: some consumers receive it automatically, the others must request it.
The French energy market in plain English
France runs a hybrid energy model. On one side, EDF and the local distribution companies are the historic suppliers that must offer the regulated electricity tariff (Tarif Réglementé de Vente, or TRV). On the other side, alternative suppliers compete on market-rate offers. The end of the regulated gas tariff follows the Energy and Climate Law of 8 November 2019.
Network operators such as Enedis for electricity and GRDF for gas manage the network for every supplier, so switching supplier does not cut your supply. The regulator is CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie). Disputes with a supplier can be filed for free with the Médiateur National de l'Énergie (energie-mediateur.fr), and the official public comparator is energie-info.fr.
Two changes shape 2026: the regulated gas tariff ended on 30 June 2023 (residential gas customers now have a market-rate offer), and ARENH ends on 31 December 2025 according to the CRE, after which suppliers source electricity on the markets or from their own production (source: cre.fr, accessed 6 October 2026).
9 in-depth guides on French energy
EDF Regulated Electricity Tariff 2026 (TRV): Expat Guide
France's regulated electricity tariff (TRV / Tarif Bleu EDF) explained for English speakers, with the Base, HP-HC and Tempo options.
Read guideEDF Tempo Tariff France 2026: Prices and Red Days
EDF Tempo explained for expats: 300 or 301 blue, 43 white and 22 red days, the 1 August 2026 EDF price grid and how it compares with Base and HP/HC.
Read guideChange Electricity Provider France 2026: Free, No Power Cut
Expat guide to switching electricity provider in France: a free process, no power cuts, and the PDL number you need.
Read guideLinky Smart Meter France 2026: How It Works, Data, Health
How the Linky smart meter communicates, what it records, how to read it and what Enedis says about health.
Read guideOff-Peak/Peak Hours Electricity France 2026: Expat Guide
Off-peak/peak hours (heures creuses) for electricity in France 2026: how the option works, the EDF grid of 1 August 2026 for 6, 9 and 12 kVA, break-even check.
Read guideGas Suppliers in France 2026: Market and Switching Guide
How the French gas market works in 2026: end of the regulated tariff, CRE reference price, switching supplier and consumer rights, with dated sources.
Read guideSolar Self-Consumption in France: 2026 Guide
Solar self-consumption in France: the 3 modes, equipment basics, incentives to check, the town-hall declaration, Consuel and a section for newcomers.
Read guideHeat Pump in France 2026: MaPrimeRenov & RGE Expat Guide
Heat pumps in France: types (air-to-water, air-to-air, geothermal), MaPrimeRenov amounts by income tier and the RGE installer rule.
Read guideThermal Insulation France 2026: Grants and Rental Rules
Thermal insulation in France: MaPrimeRénov rules, RGE installers and the DPE rental calendar.
Read guideEnergy poverty and 2026 aid schemes
Help exists for households in energy poverty. The official sources below set out the schemes and their conditions.
Chèque énergie
Sent in April: some consumers receive it automatically, the others must request it. It pays an energy bill for the home (source: energie-info.fr, accessed 6 October 2026).
What every consumer should know
- →After a written complaint to your supplier and a two-month wait, the Médiateur National de l'Énergie handles disputes for free at energie-mediateur.fr.
Switching supplier: free and no supply cut
One of the most useful actions an English-speaking resident can take is to compare offers on the official public comparator energie-info.fr, run by the Médiateur National de l'Énergie. Switching is free: no fee can be charged simply because you change supplier, and you only have to subscribe to the new contract because the old one is terminated automatically (source: energie-info.fr, accessed 6 October 2026).
The network operator calculates an estimated meter index at the effective date and sends it to both suppliers for billing, and the switch causes no electricity or gas cut.
Step-by-step instructions and what to check are detailed in our step-by-step switching guide.
Useful links to get started
Frequently asked questions about energy in France
Who offers the regulated electricity tariff (TRVE) in France?
The CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie) states that the regulated electricity tariffs must be offered by the historic suppliers: EDF and the local distribution companies. The CRE proposes the tariff through formal deliberations. The EDF grid applicable from 1 August 2026 is detailed in our regulated tariff guide. Source: cre.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
Has the regulated gas tariff been abolished in France?
Yes. Regulated gas tariffs for residential customers ended on 30 June 2023 under the Energy and Climate Law of 8 November 2019. Customers who had not signed a new gas contract by that date were moved on 1 July 2023 to a default offer from their historic supplier. Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
Is switching energy supplier in France free?
Yes. According to the national energy mediator, no fee can be charged simply because you change supplier, and the switch causes no electricity or gas cut. You only need to subscribe to a contract with the new supplier: the old contract is terminated automatically on the date the new one takes effect. Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
Is the energy voucher (chèque énergie) sent automatically?
Partly. In 2026 the chèque énergie is sent again in April: some consumers receive it automatically, while the others must request it. It can be used to pay an energy bill for the home (electricity, natural gas, tank gas, heating oil, wood). Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
What was the ARENH mechanism, and is it still in force?
ARENH (Accès Régulé à l'Électricité Nucléaire Historique) let alternative suppliers buy nuclear-generated electricity from EDF at a regulated price. The CRE states that it ends on 31 December 2025, and that from that date suppliers source electricity on the markets or from their own production. The 2025 finance law created a consumer protection mechanism, the "versement nucléaire universel", for the case where wholesale prices rise sharply. Source: cre.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
How does the Linky smart meter record consumption?
Linky is a communicating meter deployed by Enedis. It records your consumption every day, and the daily index is part of the measurement data you can access through Enedis. A supplier or other third party can retrieve your data on your behalf only if you explicitly authorise it. Source: enedis.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
How do off-peak hours (heures creuses) work?
With the peak/off-peak option (HP/HC), the price per kWh is lower for 8 hours a day and higher the rest of the time. The time slots are set by the network operator, not by your supplier. Since 1 February 2026, the subscription is the same as for the Base option in most offers. Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
Can I withdraw from an energy contract signed online or by phone?
Yes. For a contract concluded at a distance or after doorstep or phone canvassing, you have a 14-day withdrawal period. Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
What happens if my energy supplier is placed in liquidation?
A backup supplier (fournisseur de secours) is appointed to supply the customers of the failed supplier. For electricity, EDF plays that role. Source: energie-info.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
How do I bring a dispute with my supplier to the energy mediator?
First send your supplier a written complaint, then wait two months. If it is not resolved, you can refer the dispute to the Médiateur National de l'Énergie free of charge, online or by post. Source: energie-mediateur.fr (accessed 6 October 2026).
The information presented is for guidance only and may change. Consult official sources (CRE, Enedis, GRDF, Service-Public, Médiateur National de l'Énergie) and suppliers before any decision. This site is purely informational and does not provide financial or legal advice.