The evolution of regulated electricity tariffs should be "more contained in terms of rate than what we have known for two or three years" in the coming years, estimated Tuesday an EDF executive, even evoking possible "drops". 

Regulated electricity prices should not increase sharply in the coming years, an EDF executive said on Tuesday.

"We do not anticipate a strong increase over the coming years", declared Marc Benayoun, EDF director in charge of Customers, Services and Territories, during a press conference.

"I think that the evolution will be more contained in terms of rates than what we have known for two or three years. And we can even imagine that in certain episodes, there are decreases," he added. .

Real tariffs "lower" than those of 1996 for blue tariff

Only the incumbent operator EDF (with the "blue tariff") and local distribution companies can market electricity contracts at regulated sales tariffs (TRV).

Their prices are set by the government on a proposal from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), on the basis of numerous parameters (supply costs, transport, distribution, various taxes, etc.).

Among the factors of stability for the next few years are the stagnation of the system of energy saving certificates (EEC) after sharp increases or the cap on the contribution to the public service of electricity (CSPE), a tax.

On the other hand, transport and distribution costs must increase.

According to EDF, the blue tariff increased from 128 euros / MWh in 2010 to 191 euros / MWh in 2020. But this followed a period of decline and "the tariffs today, in real terms, in 2021 are lower than what they were in 1996 ", underlined Marc Benayoun.

EDF calculates that the average electricity bill for a household at the blue tariff is 922 euros per year.

A "rebound" in sight on the commercial level

After losing many customers following the opening of the energy markets to competition, the incumbent electricity operator also presented its commercial ambitions on Tuesday, with a "rebound" in sight.

"Our ambition is the commercial rebound for the electricity, gas and private customer services portfolio" and "that from 2022 this portfolio is growing", said Fabrice Gourdellier, Director of the EDF Retail Market.

EDF is thus expecting a low point of over 25 million contracts in 2021, before a rise.

For 2023, the company plans 3 million electricity contracts in market offer, 25% of gas market share (against 16% currently) and a doubling of the number of service contracts.

EDF can market offers to the TRV but also as a "market offer", that is to say at free prices, like its competitors.