French households and small businesses on regulated electricity contracts will see their bills increase by an average of 2.5% starting August 1, 2026. The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced the adjustment following a review of the costs associated with maintaining and operating the national power grid. This change affects approximately 19.37 million residential customers who remain on the standard regulated tariff, often referred to as the Blue Tariff, provided by EDF.
The price adjustment is primarily driven by two factors: the rising cost of using public electricity networks, known as TURPE, and the implementation of a new capacity mechanism designed to ensure a steady supply of power during periods of high demand. While these costs have risen, the government has slightly lowered the excise tax on electricity to help soften the overall impact on consumers.
For an average household consuming 4.5 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, this 2.5% increase translates to an estimated net rise of about 26 euros annually. The total bill for such a household is expected to shift from 1,046 euros to 1,072 euros. However, the exact impact will vary depending on individual consumption patterns and the specific tariff option chosen, such as base, peak/off-peak, or Tempo rates.
This mid-year adjustment is a standard part of the French energy pricing cycle, which typically includes a major review in February and a secondary adjustment in August. While this increase is now set for August, the CRE has already indicated that further adjustments will be necessary in February 2027 to account for remaining costs from previous energy supply mechanisms. Consumers are encouraged to review their current contracts and usage habits to manage these ongoing energy costs.