will the bill really go down in 2025?

The year 2025 will turn your electricity bills upside down. As of February 1, EDF’s regulated tariff, also called the “blue tariff”, will decrease by 11 to 12%. 56% of households are affected. This reduction represents 120 euros of savings for a bill of 1,000 euros per year. A nice surprise in a context where the price of electricity has increased by 137% since 2007. The main reason stems from the censorship of Michel Barnier’s government. Its finance law for 2025 envisaged an increase in a tax on electricity – known as excise – which all customers pay. This would have brought in up to 3.4 billion euros to the State, but, without a voted budget, it fell into oblivion. Until when? The Bayrou government’s budgetary puzzle remains the same as that of its predecessor. Taxing electricity more to reduce the state deficit is likely to come back on the table.

The end of the tariff shield

2025 is also the return of fiscal normality. Since 2021 and the start of the energy crisis, the State, via the “tariff shield”, has limited the increase in electricity sales tariffs to protect purchasing power. This time is over, and certain tax levels will reappear. But the price of electricity will still fall: thanks to the good health of the European electricity fleet, the amount per megawatt hour, which peaked at 1,000 euros in June 2022, is around 100 euros today. So, as electricity is inexpensive, despite the increase in taxes, the French remain winners for the moment. Pay attention, however, to August 1, 2025, the day of the next revision of the regulated tariff. To replenish state coffers, the government could further increase taxes, which would have an impact on your bill.

Reform of off-peak hours: new habits to adopt for more economy

Finally, the coming summer will also be that of reform of the off-peak hours system. Enough to allow you to save, if you change your habits towards periods when energy is abundant and less expensive (in the afternoon between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., when solar energy records its production peaks). Depending on each person’s contracts, this revolution will allow 40% of French people to glean new savings if they run their washing machine during the day, and no longer at night. To your little calculators!