Contents of article "Electricity in France"

 Electricity in France
 Your electricity supplier in France
 Electricity options
 Help with choosing your electricity options
 Your electricity consumption
 Signing up for your electricity supply
 Calculate your electricity expenditure

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Electricity in France

Since 1st July, 2007 you are free to chose your electricity or gas provider
EDF prices are fixed by the state (until 2010) but they will be bringing out a new set of ‘tarifs libres’ – private prices. Consumers will remain with the EDF (on the state regulated tariffs) by default, unless they actively seek out cheaper electricity. It seems that this is to be a ‘choix irréversible’ – in other words, clients who choose to leave the EDF cannot later go back to the state regulated prices if they have a change of heart!

Check out www.energie2007.fr for more info (in French only). This site will tell your rights as a consumer, traps to avoid, model letters to send to change electricity suppliers, a forum to discuss other electricity companies…

English page on EDF website

PHONE LINES
EDF tell foreign customers
"If you’re not a residential customer yet, please call us at the +33 810 126 126 (local rate within France only)
If you’re already a customer, please call us at the phone number that you can find on top of your last EDF bill (you can also reach us at the +33 810 333 776, local rate within France only)."

Your electricity supplier in France

Your electricity is supplied by the EDF (Electricité de France) You do not yet, unfortunately, have the luxury in France of shopping around for your electricity supplier but this is likely to be possible in the very near future. However, there are three different options for your electricity provision and you should choose, on connexion, the one that suits you best. The choice of option really comes down to the amount of electrical appliances you wish to run simultaneously. The cost of your standing charge and energy bill will depend very much on the option you choose.

Electricity options

Option Base For 3 to 18 kVA - Standing charge depends on the power requested and the price of the kWh is the same all year round (in other words there is no cheap or economy rate. This option is recommended for those with few electrical appliances.
Option Creuse For 6 to 36* kVA - Higher standing charge than the Option Base The same price for kWh during the day but a cheap rate tarif applies at night (heures creuses) This option is recommended for those with electric heating, water boiler, washing machine etc
Option Tempo Oh la la! A rather complicated option which will test your organisational skills to the limit. This option offers kWh which vary according to the time and the day as well as economy rates at all kinds of odd times of the day and night. These rates are classed into blue, white and red days! To find out each day when the different coloured periods apply (they change daily), you should visit the tempo page on the EDF site the day before. Rates for the next day are on line from 3pm every day. According to these rates, you can decide in advance when to put on your washing machine, dish washer, hair straightners, play station and take a bath! Not for the colour blind! recommended with large houses with multiple appliances, electric pump for pool etc

Help with choosing your electricity options

If you are unsure which option best suits your needs, a free, 24 hour advisory service is available on; 0 810 126 126. You will of course need a French speaker to help you to do this unless you’re lucky and happen upon an english speaker! This service should, however, be available online by the end of this year. (2005) - see above for number recently added

Your electricity consumption

Electricity consumption is measured in kwh as in England.You are able to use most electrical appliances in France that you have been using in the UK as the voltage is also the same. The price of the kwh depends on the option you have chosen. Power is measured in kVA. There are in fact 9 different powers or puissances from 3 to 36kVA

Signing up for your electricity supply

You must sign up for a one year contract but you can cancel this at any time if you move. You should ask for a relevé spécial (a final meter reading) and of course make sure that you leave a forwarding address. It is worth registering with the EDF web site as you may then inform them via the site if you are moving and they will send somebody to read the meter within 48 hours. If you are moving within France, your electricity will automatically continue on the option selected by the previous owner (unless of course it is newbuild) and it is up to you to contact the EDF if you wish to change options.

Calculate your electricity expenditure

Take a virtual tour around a typical house with Laura. a vitual advisor who will give you tips on how to economise your electricity. The trip is great fun and will show you how to calculate your approximate electricity consumption. Click on simulez ce que vous consommez which will take you into the maison virtuelle. Click on the objects around the room to find out more about EDF services or click on the door to go into other rooms and find out the average yearly electricity consumption for each appliance.

France uses electricity at approximately 220 volts/50hz like most of the world outside of North America.
If you come from a country where appliances are designed for 110 volts/60hz, you will need a voltage converter or a transformer depending on the type of appliances or equipment you plan to use in France.
As the wall outlets configurations can be different in France from your country, you may also have to buy plug adapters (be careful: plug adapters don’t change the voltage).
EDF website

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