The French Parliament has adopted the Loi Pacte, a new regulation set to profoundly change the situation on the gas market in France, since the law schedules the end of the regulated gas tariffs (TRV) on 1 July 2023. These tariffs are marketed only by the historical suppliers, in this case Engie and some local companies. They are set by the state on the basis of proposals submitted by the energy regulator CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Energie) and are calculated so that alternative suppliers such as Total Direct Energie, EDF or ENI can offer more advantageous offers to promote competition. These tariffs still concern 40% of the households subscribing gas, i.e. approximately 4.3 million residential customers, even if this number has been decreasing year by year.
The regulated tariffs were deemed contrary to the European law by the French Council of State in July 2017, arguing that there is no economic interest for regulated gas prices offered by a handful of historical gas distributors only and that could hinder full competition in the market. The French National Association of Energy Retail Operators (Anode), which groups together alternative gas suppliers that are not allowed to supply customers at regulated tariffs, had criticized a late measure and had asked for additional guarantees.
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