The Energy Regulatory Commission plans to review off-peak hours to better adapt them to solar production. A reform that could affect drivers of electric vehicles in particular.
Historically, peak hours were established for take advantage of nuclear energy available in abundance at night. They therefore offer reduced prices to encourage consumption at these specific times. This system also aims to reduce demand during peak consumption, particularly at the end of the day.
Today, the situation has changed with the rise of solar energy. The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) asked Enedis to review the off-peak hours system to better align with its production. This reform could lead to a reduction in nighttime off-peak hoursthus impacting the electric car owners who take advantage of this to recharge their vehicles at a lower cost.
Off-peak hours reform risks hurting the wallets of electric car drivers
Enedis, formerly ERDF, is a French company responsible for the management and development of 95% of the electricity distribution network in mainland France. According to our colleagues at Les Echos, she is preparing a reform of the off-peak hours system at the request of the CRE to lighten the public electricity network and adapt it to solar production.
Photovoltaics are becoming more and more abundant in Europe. This type of energy production creates a surplus during the day, especially in the early afternoon during the summer months. By moving off-peak hours to these periods, Enedis hopes to make better use of it.
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This reform also aims to simplify the price list for off-peak hours. Currently, it is complex with around ten different contracts. By unifying this system, the CRE wishes to make the prices more attractive. It wants to encourage users to adapt their consumption to periods of high solar production. However, this change could disrupt the habits of more than 15 million French people who until now benefited from this pricing.
Electric vehicle drivers, who have already been impacted by a rise in electricity prices earlier this year, could see increase the cost of recharging night of their cars. Likewise, households accustomed to using energy-intensive appliances at night to benefit from reduced rates could also be impacted. It remains to be seen how the discussions on this reform between Enedis and the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), which could be implemented from 2025.
Source: Les Echos