The heating bill poses more and more difficulties for some households (illustrative image).

-

Frederic Scheiber / 20MINUTES

The energy crisis is here, and it could get worse with the Covid-19 epidemic.

According to a new report from the National Energy Poverty Observatory (ONPE), in 2019, at least 3.5 million low-income households experienced difficulties in paying their energy bills.

In 2019, “energy poverty” affected 11.9% of the French and 30% of the poorest, according to the annual report.

The ONPE combines several elements including the “energy effort rate” (the share of energy expenditure in household income, precariousness being recorded when this item reaches 8%).

Suffer from the cold

The 2019 result is a little better than that of 2018 (12.1%) due to rather mild winter temperatures, "but that does not prejudge the situation of the poorest", warns the observatory.

The drop in energy consumption per dwelling linked to the improvement of the heating equipment and performance of certain dwellings is felt.

But the rise in the price of energy and the stagnation of purchasing power point to difficult years, note these experts, who also mention the reduction in financial aid (energy checks in particular).

They "worry" about the increase in the number of households that suffered from the cold last winter, especially 18-34 year olds.

We must "find methods of intervention more suited to these situations in order to cushion this economic and health crisis which first of all weakens the most precarious populations and risks pushing them into situations of great poverty", called Arnaud. Leroy, president of ONPE and Ademe.

The fear of many unpaid bills

The number of households encountering energy payment difficulties has increased, from 10% in 2013 to 18% in 2020, with an increase in interventions for cuts, also notes the ONPE, which quotes the Info-Energie 2020 barometer. of the National Energy Mediator.

In 2019, 671,546 households saw the intervention of an energy supplier due to unpaid bills (+ 17% compared to 2018).

For 2020 and 2021, the containment measures have had even more important consequences for households in fuel poverty, adds the balance sheet.

The suspension of payment of bills during an extended winter break "raises fears of an explosion in unpaid bills and requests for aid from social services".

As for confinement, it favored forced cohabitation in uncomfortable housing, while housing improvement work was slowed down.

Toulouse

Toulouse: Victims of heating failures, nearly 600 tenants freeze in their apartments

Economy

Why have French electricity bills soared for ten years?

  • Precariousness

  • Society

  • Heater

  • energy

  • Coronavirus