Sentenced in 2019 to a fine of 900,000 euros for his canvassing deemed abusive, "Engie has progressed enormously" since, assures Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, chairman of the board of directors of the French energy giant, guest of Europe 1 Thursday.

The group's service providers now follow training courses on the subject. 

INTERVIEW

The number of disputes related to gas and electricity contracts brought before the energy mediator is increasing year by year, reveals a report published in mid-May.

27,203 disputes were received in 2020, an increase of 19% compared to 2019. That year, the energy supplier Engie was ordered to pay nearly 900,000 euros in fines for abusive canvassing.

But against the general trend, "Engie has made enormous progress between the situation which gave rise to this decision and the last report of the mediator", assures Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, chairman of the board of directors of the French energy giant , guest of Europe 1 Thursday. 

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The reasons for the disputes brought before the mediator are diverse: level of disputed invoicing, unexplained termination, deceptive or aggressive commercial practices ... "The canvassing channel is important for us because it is a way of showing our fellow citizens that they have the choice of their energy supplier, but sometimes things happen that are not completely in line with our wishes, "acknowledges Jean-Pierre Clamadieu. 

"Training sessions" for Engie providers

According to the mediator, the Italian group Eni remains the worst pupil of the French market, with the highest rate of litigation, fruit in particular of its use of doorstep selling, "at the origin of abuse of all kinds".

The mediator had also recently reported to justice the case of a direct seller on behalf of Eni who had drawn up a false gas supply contract for an elderly person residing in nursing homes.

Jean-Pierre Clamadieu explains for his part supervising Engie providers through "training sessions" where best practices are taught.

He now says he is "very attentive" to customer feedback.

"As soon as we have any feedback or complaints, and we have few, we straighten things out."