Electricity in France

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1. 1. Opening an Electricity Account in France
2. 2. Getting a New Electricity Supply
3. 3. French Electricity Tariffs
4. 4. Your French Electricity Bill
5. 5. Assistance with Payment of Electricity Bills
6. 6. Changing Your Electricity Supplier
7. 7. Complaints Procedures

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6. Changing Your French Electricity Supplier

Since July 2007 it has been possible for households to move from EDF to an alternative supplier.

Whilst the tariffs applied by EDF are regulated by the government, private operators are free to set their own tariffs. EDF also offer a market tariff.

There is widespread opposition from consumer associations in France to the introduction of market tariffs, and they consider the regulated tariffs offer greater consumer protection.

Given the political controls exerted over EDF on regulated tariffs we also consider that there are fewer risks in going with the state supplier.

We also consider that if problems arise with your supply, they are likely to be resolved more quickly if you are a client of EDF. Whilst responsibility for dealing with supply problems resides with Electricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF) (a publicly controlled body), ERDF is a subsiduary of EDF.

Nevertheless, if your research suggests an advantageous offer is available in your area, then the transfer of your account from EDF to the new supplier is handled entirely by that supplier.

These alternative suppliers do not generally have a local branch network, so you would normally need to change your supplier on-line.

The main alternative suppliers are Alterna, Direct Energie, Enercoop, GDF Suez, Planète UI, and Poweo.

If you do change to an alternative supplier, you can make an application to return to a regulated tariff, but only after a minimum of six months on the market tariff. However, it is planned to phase out this concession on 1st July 2010.

You can find more information about comparative prices at http://www.kelwatt.fr/

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Next: Complaints Procedures

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