Gas prices: 40% of households will see their bills increase, are you concerned?

The tariff shield has spared the French from rising gas prices. However, it seems that 2023 foresees an increase.

This year has proven difficult in many aspects. I have to say that skyrocketing inflation and the difficulty of energy supply have changed the daily life of the French. Very quickly, the price of energy but also the cost of living has experienced an unprecedented increase. Whether it's the price of gas, food, electricity... Fortunately, the tariff shield , set up by the government, was able to spare some French people from this increase. However, with the arrival of 2023 in a few days, it would seem that the end of this truce on the rise in prices is also disappearing for certain households. This means that they will undoubtedly see the price of gas increase, and this, for nearly 40% of households . We'll explaine everything here !

Nearly five million households affected

The year 2022 was not only marked by the meteoric inflation on French territory . But also the difficulties of energy supply due to the conflicts of our neighbors to the east. These two phenomena meant that very quickly, the French have seen the cost of living go up . To try to support the purchasing power of the latter, the French government has set up a tariff shield. This device was intended to protect the French from soaring gas prices. However, according to the statements, this device will end, for certain households, from January 1, 2023. It turns out that 40% of households will then experience an increase on their gas bills. This increase would be around 15%.

It should be noted that only certain households will experience this increase. It all depends on the contract they have. Indeed, only people who have subscribed to a contract at a regulated price offer with the operator Engie or one of the 22 local suppliers, such as Gaz de Bordeaux. Or even customers of other suppliers with an offer indexed to the regulated tariff. In fact, it would seem that nearly 4.8 million households are affected by this increase in the price of gas from January 1, 2023.

An average gas price increase of €25

According to the words of the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, this increase would be around 15% for those households affected by the rise in gas prices. In terms of money, this increase would cause an average increase in bills of around €25 per month. And this, for homes that use a gas heating system . The government therefore explained that nearly 4.8 million households would then suffer this increase from January 1, 2023. With the withdrawal of the tariff shield, “ the increase would have been €200 per month for gas and €180 per month for electricity “, had even declared Elisabeth Borne.

You must know that 25 euros is an average and not a fixed price. Indeed, it all depends on whether the households concerned use gas for heating, cooking (base rate) or hot water (B0). For the last two uses, it should be noted that the increase in the price of gas is likely to be much lower. For the moment, nothing has been done. It all depends on the government decree expected by December 31.

A second increase in gas prices for July 2023

The adoption of the 2023 Finance Law has brought many changes . First of all, it should be noted that the tariff shield has been extended. And this, until June 30, 2023. However, although this is good news, the next day prices will start to rise again. Indeed, the regulated gas sales tariffs will disappear for everyone. And this, since these tariffs were deemed contrary to European law. As a result, French households having subscribed to this contract will undoubtedly see an increase in gas prices in July 2023.

According to the energy ombudsman, households affected by these planned gas price increases have already received a letter by way of an announcement. Thus, they will have to subscribe to a new contract as soon as possible. It should be noted, however, that if they remain passive, they will automatically have to switch to Engie. And this, in a contract that they will obviously not have chosen. In addition, it should be noted that on July 1, 2023, the Energy Regulatory Commission should set up a reference price . Thus, this tool could serve as a base price for the pursuit of a tariff shield.

Source : West France