Starting November 1, approximately 14.5 million French consumers will see changes to their electricity rate plans, specifically regarding off-peak and peak hours. The adjustments will modify time slots, with more households benefiting from nighttime off-peak periods and new daytime windows. The transition, which will occur gradually until the end of 2027, aims to align pricing with current energy usage patterns influenced by telecommuting and solar energy. Consumers may find opportunities for cost savings by adapting their usage to these new schedules.
Changes to Off-Peak and Peak Hours for French Consumers
Starting November 1st, approximately 14.5 million residents in France will experience a shift in their electricity rate plans, specifically those subscribed to the off-peak and peak hours option. This adjustment comes as part of an announcement made by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and aims to better align electricity pricing with current consumption patterns.
What You Need to Know About the New Time Slots
The upcoming changes will maintain the same total number of off-peak and peak hours; however, the specific time slots will be modified for over 11 million consumers. Currently, 5.7 million households benefit from off-peak hours allocated across two segments—both at night and during the day—some of which may not be optimally timed. Following the adjustments, 8.8 million households will have off-peak hours exclusively at night, while 13.1 million will see their off-peak periods spread across two new windows: the afternoon (11 AM – 5 PM) and late night, primarily during the summer months. Meanwhile, 1.4 million households will continue with off-peak hours only at night.
The changes reflect evolving energy usage patterns driven by factors like increased telecommuting and greater availability of solar energy during the day. The CRE notes that this adjustment will foster a more balanced consumption model, which is beneficial for the broader electricity network.
Implementation Details and Consumer Guidance
As part of the new plan, certain off-peak hours will be eliminated. Specifically, off-peak slots will no longer occur between 7 AM and 11 AM or from 5 PM to 9 PM in winter, and between 7 AM and 10 AM or 6 PM to 11 PM in summer. Consumers can expect to maintain at least five off-peak hours during nighttime, while others will gain additional daytime off-peak opportunities.
The transition to these new time slots will be gradual, starting from November 1, 2025, until the end of 2027. Suppliers will receive detailed schedules from Enedis six months prior to the implementation of the new time slots and are required to inform customers at least one month before the changes take effect. Consumers are encouraged to keep an eye out for communications from their energy providers during this period.
To adapt to these changes, those who typically schedule appliances during off-peak hours will need to adjust their timings to align with the newly assigned slots. For appliances like water heaters that are activated by the meter, no manual adjustment will be necessary, as the system will automatically operate during the new off-peak hours.
Potential Impact on Electricity Bills
While the changes may not guarantee a reduction in bills for everyone, there is potential for consumers to save money by shifting their usage to off-peak times. The CRE suggests that the new daytime off-peak hours may offer an opportunity for cost savings, allowing households to distribute their electricity consumption more evenly throughout the day. As these adjustments roll out, the CRE will also explore the possibility of providing additional off-peak hours in summer, further enhancing the affordability of electricity for consumers.
For those looking to find the best electricity rates, utilizing an energy comparator tool can help identify the most cost-effective options available in the market.