Overview
- France’s regulated nuclear access scheme (ARENH) is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025, removing a key buffer that kept retail prices relatively stable.
- From January 2026 the regulated reference tariff will be indexed to market prices using the average of 2024 and 2025, and the regulator does not expect a sharp rise before February 2026.
- Wholesale electricity has climbed to about €83/MWh with peaks above €130/MWh, while rising network charges and taxes add structural pressure on household bills.
- The off‑peak schedule began shifting on November 1, keeping eight daily off‑peak hours but moving five consecutive hours between 23:00 and 07:00 and placing three flexible hours in daytime depending on the season.
- Consumers can switch suppliers at any time without fees or join UFC‑Que Choisir’s group purchase running November 5 to December 20, with some alternative offers reported up to roughly 15–16% below the regulated price.