Didier, a MoneyVox reader, had no power for 48 hours in December. Can he request compensation from the network manager? It is not so simple.
Question from Didier, Monday, December 26, 2022
I had a power outage for two days. Can we be compensated for this type of inconvenience?
Dear Didier, the possible compensation for a power cut in your home, and beyond your control, depends on the context. MoneyVox explains.
For example, this winter, load shedding planned to relieve the tension on the French electricity network after a red EcoWatt alert, and within a limit of two hours, will not give rise to any compensation for the individuals concerned, because it is a case of force majeure. A state of affairs assumed by the government, professionals and consumer associations.
However, in the event of an incident on the distribution network, a financial compensation is provided after the 5th cut-off hour. In this situation, the electricity suppliers receive a sum from Enedis, the network operator, which is then passed on to the customers.
You benefit from the payment of a lump sum of 2 euros excluding VAT per kVA of power subscribed for each 5 consecutive hours of power outage (within the limit of 40 consecutive 5-hour periods). This sum will be automatically paid by Enedis to your electricity supplier who will transfer it to one of your electricity bills, writes the network manager.
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In the case of Didier, the sum could even be tidy since generally the power of the meters of the private individuals is of 6 or 9 kVA. Indeed, he could obtain between 108 and 162 euros excluding tax after a 48-hour cut, or 9 installments.
In the event of a storm, tornado or any other natural disaster, recognized by a State decree, which is likely to damage the electrical network, you can also ask your insurer to cover broken electrical and electronic devices. The determining cause of the damage must be the abnormal intensity of a natural agent, like lightning for example. On the other hand, the foodstuffs lost in the freezer in the event of a power cut are not compensated, specifies the national consumer institute.
The insurer can also offer, as part of home insurance contracts, a specific power outage option.
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