Energy poverty is still significant in France. In 2023, more than a million interventions (power cuts or limitations) for unpaid electricity or gas bills were recorded by the Energy Mediator, an increase of 3% compared to 2022.
More and more French people are facing difficulties paying their energy bills. The statistics published this Friday, April 26 by the Energy Mediator show that interventions for unpaid bills are increasing. For the first time in 2023, the milestone of one million has been crossed. In electricity, 913,611 interventions for unpaid bills were carried out (178,015 outages and 735,596 power limitations), 10 times more than in gas (87,297 outages), notes the mediator. Already last year, an increase had already been noted.
Power limitations on the rise
Electricity suppliers are increasingly choosing to limit power in the event of arrears, notes the press release. In 2023, there were 735,596, an increase of 15% compared to 2022. Electricity and gas cuts fell by 18%.
A change in practices by certain suppliers who no longer cut off electricity to their customers in the event of unpayment?
This development is linked to the change in practices of certain suppliers who no longer cut off electricity to their customers in the event of non-payment, but also to a change in regulations. Indeed, since February 2023, outside of the winter break and in the event of unpaid bills, suppliers have the obligation to request, for beneficiaries of the energy check or assistance from the housing solidarity fund, a limitation of electricity power prior to cutoff or termination, explains the Energy Mediator.
Advocating for the right to minimal food
Since 2021, he has advocated for establishing a right to a minimum electricity supply for main residences. The objective is to prohibit electricity cuts throughout the year (they are still possible today outside of the winter break) for unpaid bills, replacing them with a limitation on the power of the electricity meter. A measure already applied by EDF.
Mathilde SIRE
After training in journalism at the IUT of Lannion, Mathilde Sire worked in Ouest-France, as a freelancer for online media, press… Read more
MoneyVox / MS / April 2024