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Faced with the energy crisis, the government has decided to support SMEs with new aid. Their electricity bills could be reduced by up to 25%. Report from an insect breeder in Oise who hopes to be able to benefit from it.
In Le Gallet (Oise), Antoine Garault, director of France Insectes, breeds insects in his company for zoos and pet shops. But to raise them, he needs a lot of energy: four cold rooms kept at -18°C permanently. After closing a cold room to save energy, the entrepreneur says he is doing his best, but he is caught up in the cost of electricity, which sends his bills skyrocketing. “Basically, 2021 was 10,000 euros. 2022, we are around 15,000 euros, and for 2023, we expect around 45,000 euros in electricity bills”he explains.
For the entrepreneur, the situation is critical, and he is therefore counting on the new help from the government. The executive has indeed announced support for SMEs that pay more than 325 euros per megawatt hour. For them, the bill would be reduced up to 25% of electricity consumption. Too restrictive a boost according to the CPME, the confederation of SMEs. Financial aid for SMEs is expected to cost the state seven billion euros.