Dordogne electricity broker claims 8% savings for most clients
Service is free for customers – company earns commission from suppliers
Renewable-only options are also available, including a Dordogne-based supplier
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An electricity broker in south-west France claims nearly all his clients save around one month’s bills each year by switching suppliers through him.
Benjamin Hennequin, who launched his online service La Ruche des Energies in 2020, has now opened an office in Marsac, near Tocane-Saint-Apre in Dordogne.
During the 2022 electricity crisis, some people who left EDF’s regulated tariffs saw bills triple, but Mr Hennequin said most suppliers he works with keep their prices indexed to the regulated rate and still below it.
He says most people on monthly payment schemes save around 8%.
“Most firms that hiked prices massively in 2022 are gone,” he said.
“Suppliers have learnt their lesson – nearly all now use indexed prices or fixed-rate contracts.”
His service is free for customers; he earns commissions from suppliers.
'Competition keeps prices low'
“We usually work with around 40 suppliers – most people think there are only two or three,” he said.
“Competition keeps prices low and lets brokers like us thrive.”
He also arranges renewable-only options, including a Dordogne-based supplier guaranteeing no forest clearing for solar panels.
Town gas users can save as well.
Customers contact the company online and send a recent electricity bill. The team analyses usage, proposes cheaper deals, and manages the switch.
“We keep monitoring the market and contact clients if a better offer appears,” Mr Hennequin said.
The company vows not to pass on contact details to call centres and spam outlets – many of which are notorious for calling people with energy-related scams.
It has plans to expand to other areas of France.
