Electricity Supply

Find out how to get connected to French electricity suppliers...

Electricity in France is generally provided by ENEDIS formally known as EDF, (Electricité de France), which is state owned, although households are free to choose their own electricity supplier. Details on installing electricity or moving home relevant to residential customers (particuliers) and businesses (professionels) are available in French on the ENEDIS website

·         To find a local electricity supplier visit the Selectra website

  • Visit the ENEDIS site to find a local office or breakdown service number (in French)

Getting Connected

New tenants or property owners should contact ENEDIS as early as possible to give the date for the move. On the first day in the new property, they should contact ENEDIS again to make sure the meter reading is taken that day, to avoid the possibility of paying for the previous tenant’s electricity.

To connect an established electricity supply a contract must be established between the customer and the supplier. The customer must:

·         Chose a local power supplier

·         Establish a connection date

·         Pay the connection fee (only charged if the supply has been cut off)

·         If the power connection is more than 36 kVA a separate agreement is required

 

Customers can choose between a number of different proposed tariffs, which depend on their usage, number of people in the dwelling and type of heating. Electricity bills are sent every two months and are based on an estimation of usage. If paying by cheque or direct debit, the bill must be paid within 15 days. Customers may also choose to pay by direct debit on a monthly basis, over a period of ten or eleven months. At the end of this period, the customer either receives a bill for extra consumption or receives a credit on their account. Meters are read every six months. To avoid estimated bills, clients may also chose the option Service Relevé Confiance, where customers read their meter and report the number on it four times per year.

To Disconnect

Before moving house, tenants or owners should contact their supplier at least 48 hours before vacating the property. If moving to another home, contact the supplier on the day of the move, providing them with a meter reading of the old and the new property to transfer the electricity contract.

Renewable Electricity

Over recent years a number of electricity companies using renewable energy have been set up in France. ENEDIS has some information on its efforts to promote renewable energy.

Winter Fuel Payment for UK Citizens

UK citizens aged 60 years old and over are, under certain conditions, eligible for winter fuel payment when living in another EEA country.  The UK Government has more information on winter fuel payment entitlements

Further Information

  • Énergie-info provides general information regarding electricity and gas.