The tariff shield will be extended in 2023, but it will be less generous, aiming to limit the rise in electricity and gas prices to 15%, announced French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne. Energy checks of 100 to 200 euros will also be distributed to 12 million households.
The room chosen by Matignon will perhaps bring back painful memories to the French. It is there, rue de Ségur in Paris, that the government used to hold its press conferences during the Covid-19 crisis, recalls our special envoy, Julien Chavanne.
To respond to the energy crisis that is shaking Europe, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne decided to make a move for the French. During her press conference on Wednesday, the head of government announced the extension of the tariff shield until 2023.
Thus, the increase in the price of electricity and gas will be limited to 15% for ” all households, condominiums, social housing, small businesses and smaller municipalities “.
But despite this, the increases will lead to a average increase in bills around 25 euros per month for households that heat with gas “, recalled Ms. Borne, adding that without the tariff shield, the increase would be “ around 200 euros per month “.
And to respond to this inevitable increase, Elisabeth Borne also specified that an energy check, worth 100 to 200 euros, would be paid to 12 million households. by the end of the year “. Total envelope: nearly 18 billion euros.
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“Every gesture counts”
The new tariff shield alone will cost 16 billion euros net for public finances (including 11 billion for gas) in 2023, while the energy check represents a cost of 1.8 billion euros for the State, detailed the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire.
And if the head of government has expressed her fears in the event of ” particularly cold winter combined with supply difficulties Ms. Borne insisted that “ in the most likely scenarios, if everyone takes their responsibilities and shows the necessary sobriety, there will be no cuts “.
Sobriety is the word hammered home by the government since the start of the crisis. And to add to it, a communication campaign will be launched on October 10 to encourage energy savings, with the slogan ” every gesture counts “.
These increases will lead to an average increase in bills of around 25 euros per month for households that heat with gas instead of around 200 euros per month without a tariff shield and an average increase of around 20 euros per month for households that heat with electricity, instead of 180 euros per month without a tariff shield.
These increases will lead to an average increase in bills of around 25 euros per month for households that heat with gas instead of around 200 euros per month without a tariff shield and an average increase of around 20 euros per month for households that heat with electricity, instead of 180 euros per month without a tariff shield.
Towards localized cuts?
Will there be enough gas and electricity this winter? A priori yes, if everyone makes an effort, recalls the Prime Minister. The executive is still relying on the goodwill of the French, but not only. Ms. Borne especially hopes for the gradual restart of French nuclear power plants to bring down prices.