Baptiste Morin, edited by Laura Laplaud 12:00 p.m., September 02, 2022

Faced with rising energy prices, the Dechaumont foundry expects to see its bill rise from 1.5 million to 10 million euros next year.

Its director denounces the volatility of electricity prices and fears having to go out of business if nothing is done.

What are the solutions to offset the rise in energy prices?

Emmanuel Macron brings together a Defense Council devoted to the energy crisis on Friday at the Élysée.

The opportunity to address several scenarios but the time is not for decision-making, said those around him.

France, like other countries of the European Union, wishes to free itself from the rule which fixes the price of electricity.

Because the consequences are already very concrete for part of French industry.

Example at the Dechaumont foundries in Haute-Garonne.

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"Who will suffer? It's us"

1860-2022, 260 years of existence for the Dechaumont foundries in Haute-Garonne.

But the price of electricity could well mean the end of the story.

Because to produce street furniture, and in particular manhole covers, foundries use electric furnaces and the bill has soared.

In 2019, it was 750,000 euros.

Last year, it had doubled to reach 1.5 million euros.

And next year it could be 10 million euros.

Director Jean-Baptiste Dechaumont denounces the volatility of electricity prices.

"In 2016, I bought a megawatt hour at 37 euros. In 2021, I bought it for 70 euros. This morning, I was offered it at 599 euros. The price of electricity production has not x8 in a year? It's not possible. Who will suffer? It's us", he laments.

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In question, the rule that sets the price of electricity in Europe.

It takes into account the cost of the last means of production requested.

In times of tension, as at the moment, it is the gas plants that run.

The price of electricity is therefore calculated from that of gas, which has exploded in recent months.

The Dechaumont foundries hope to see this rule quickly disappear.

They must sign their new electricity contract in the coming weeks.