Very small businesses will pay no more than 280 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity in 2023. At least, that's the limit, the ceiling announced by the Minister of the Economy last January, following a meeting with several players, including EDF, Engie and TotalEnergies.
Guaranteed rates for small businesses
The government has decided to cap the price of MWh at 280 euros, a relief for retailers whose electricity bills have soared in recent months. This limited electricity price was obtained following a meeting with energy suppliers on January 6. He says he has taken the " path of simplicity " with these players, and confirms that there will be no contract-by-contract renegotiation, as there are too many very small businesses and the administrative consequences are far too onerous for professionals, suppliers and public authorities.
The new measure concerns VSEs renewing their electricity supply contracts from the 2nd half of 2022 onwards, and which do not benefit from the regulated sales tariff. Bercy estimates that some 600,000 of France's 2.1 million VSEs are eligible.
How can you benefit from this electricity price capped at €280/MWh?
Eligible VSEs can benefit from the limited and guaranteed tariff without having to go to their supplier to negotiate.
The entrepreneurs concerned simply need to complete a form available on the tax site, indicating that they run a company with fewer than 10 employees and sales of less than 2 million euros, and that they wish to obtain this assistance, which is open until December 31, 2023. Once the guaranteed tariff application form has been completed, simply send it to your energy supplier.
Energy crisis: VSEs will pay "no more than 280 euros per MWh on average" in 2023, announces Bruno Le Mairehttps://t.co/Uq28YsSPBH pic.twitter.com/JHEvm7HU5s
- franceinfo (@franceinfo) January 6, 2023
A relief for professionals
Interviewed by AFP, Jean-Eudes du Mesnil, General Secretary of the Confederation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CPME), considers that " the tariff is still too high, but it gives these companies real visibility ".
Thierry Marx, president of the hotel and restaurant industry's main employers' association, believes that this advance does not apply to all establishments in the sector, and is asking Bruno Le Maire to ensure that all hotels and restaurants can benefit from the new rate.
Among professionals, the measure has been well received, but most find it insufficient.
Discussions on cost sharing
The question of how to finance this new tariff shield arises. " We are continuing discussions on cost sharing " with suppliers, said Bruno Le Maire.
Prior to the announcement of the guaranteed tariff, TotalEnergies had agreed to revise its tariffs, proposing to reduce electricity contracts for very small businesses to an average price of 320 euros per MWh after taking into account existing government subsidies.