Gas bills set to rise in France from March
Benchmark price can be used to see if you are paying too much on your contract
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and low supplies are both contributing to the increase
Shevchuk/Shutterstock.
Gas prices are set to rise next month in France, according to monthly data published by the nation’s energy regulator.
Benchmark gas prices will increase to €0.15 per kW/h for cooking and heating water – up from €0.14 per kW/h currently – and for heating from €0.11 per kW/h to €0.12 per kW/h.
This is the total price, including taxes, supply, storage, and transport per kW/h estimated by the Commission de régulation de l’énergie (French energy commission, CRE),
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and low supplies are all contributing to the increase.
Read more: Why are gas tariffs so high in France?
It is yet another increase to gas prices in recent months, which comes as electricity bills have fallen by up to 15% for millions of people.
Read more: How to change electricity contract to benefit from 15% price reduction in France
Your bill may not change
Users should note however that the increase in this benchmark price does not necessarily mean a change in their bill price.
The benchmark price is released monthly by the CRE however suppliers are not obliged to increase their prices accordingly. Equally the benchmark price is not a cap, suppliers can charge more than this if they wish.
Generally, however, an increase in the benchmark price does mean bills are higher as it is an estimated average of supplier prices nationwide.
Publication of the benchmark price has been in force since 2023 when regulated tariffs for gas were phased out in France.
It allows users to compare the price they are currently paying with a ‘standard’ price, to see if they could find a better option elsewhere.
Prices can vary more in areas where gas is not supplied by France’s largest distributor, GRDF. This includes Bordeaux and Grenoble which have alternative suppliers.
Those who live close to a natural gas distribution centre (port méthanier) may also benefit from cheaper bills.
There are five main such centres in France:
Montoir-de-Bretagne (Loire-Atlantique)
Loon-Plage (Nord)
Cape Ann/ Le Havre (Seine-Maritime)
Two based in Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône)
