In Alsace, Eric Claudel had to try several times “to be sure that there was not one zero too many”.
In his bakery located in Bollwiller in Alsace, Éric Claudel still cannot believe it. Highlighted next to his cash register, his electricity bill indicates an amount of 108,933 euros, to be paid before January 26, 2023. The trader has clearly indicated in red, in pen, that this bill represents only 20 days of consumption. “I had posted it to inform customers in case I had to close, so that they realize the absurdity of what they are asking mehe says. A customer then took a picture of the invoice and posted it on social media, which quickly sparked a stir on the web.
EDF indicated a “counting error”
When he received the invoice, this baker who had been there for eight years had to go through it several times “to make sure there wasn’t one zero too many“. “If the bill gets real, it’s the end of my business with six people out of work» he is alarmed. He would have indeed consumed 639,000 kWh, that is to say more than the equivalent of his municipality in lighting and public buildings according to him. He contacted EDF but claims to have still not had a clear explanation. A representative of the Enedis company must soon be sent on site to inspect his meter. “Had to make three claims for them to move» he gets annoyed, «I just want someone to explain to me where the problem comes from.“.
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EDF ensures for its part that it is a “counting error», Surely linked to the electric meter. The invoice was therefore canceled as soon as the error was noticed and “no direct debit“has not been carried out, assures the energy company, which specifies that a correction has been sent to this trader who benefits from the regulated blue tariff. Éric Claudel had not yet waited to receive this note to save energy. “Before, I left the oven on until noon and now I turn it off around 8 or 9.» he explains. It also “turned off a cold room and a fridge”.
Currently, only VSEs with less than 10 employees, with a turnover of less than two million euros and having an electricity meter with a power of less than or equal to 36 kVA, can benefit from the regulated tariff or blue tariff. From February 1, 2022, the increase will be capped at 15% over 2023. In addition to the price of energy, bakers are also suffering from the increase in the cost of raw materials, which is difficult to pass on to the final price. “Will this be the end of our profession?I do not know…he wonders worriedly.
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