Baptiste Morin, edited by Yanis Darras 08:47, March 22, 2023

Is the tariff shield in its final months? This is what the Council of Economic and Social Analysis asks, which considers that the device "is very poorly targeted" and does not encourage energy sobriety. A new, more targeted aid should be put in place, according to the EAC.

Is this the right time to remove the famous energy tariff shield that has been in place for just over a year? This is the question posed by the Council of Economic and Social Analysis (CAE), while the economic environment is unfavorable. The shocks on the financial markets or the rise in key rates by the European Central Bank, which means that going into debt will cost the State more and more, indicate for the Council that it is time to get out of the tariff shield on energy.

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No sobriety

Because, if the tariff shield has responded well to the emergency, it is very expensive and does not encourage reducing consumption. "The tariff shield is very poorly targeted because it gives money or provides insurance against price changes, to people who do not necessarily need," said Camille Landais, deputy president of the Council of Economic Analysis. Moreover, "it is made in such a way that, instead of just protecting, it protects and reduces incentives to reduce its energy consumption," he continues.

A shield in the manner of fuel aid?

At the same time, the ACE advocates an in-depth reform of the European energy market. The latter must achieve three objectives: decarbonisation, guarantee of supply, but also reasonable prices.

And as for the future tariff shield, a forthcoming note from the Council of Economic Analysis, published in May, should outline tracks. The new device could resemble what has been decided for fuel. At the time, after widespread rebates at the end of last year, the government preferred on January 1 to create assistance conditional on the level of income of a household, and the use of a vehicle to go to work.