Electricity Subscription Prices in France to Drop by 5% from February — A First Step Toward Electrification

Electricity to Become a Little Cheaper in France

Good news for French households: Electricity subscription prices are set to dip by 5% starting February 2026, offering a modest but welcome relief after years of steep increases.

The announcement came from Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who confirmed that the cut would apply to all electricity contracts, both residential and professional. This follows an earlier commitment to ease the financial pressure on consumers amid record-high energy bills.

A Concrete Step for Purchasing Power

The government’s decision stems from a 25% reduction in the Contribution Tarifaire d’Acheminement (CTA) — a tax used to fund the pension system for energy sector workers. The measure is expected to free up around €540 million for French consumers collectively.

For households, the average annual saving will be around €10.
For small businesses, such as bakeries, the savings could reach €200 or more per year.

While modest, this reduction signals an intent to gradually reshape France’s electricity pricing system as part of a broader energy transition.

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A First Step Toward a Broader Electrification Plan

Prime Minister Lecornu described the measure as “a first concrete step toward lowering electricity bills and preparing for a major national electrification plan” aimed at strengthening France’s energy sovereignty.

Announced late 2025, this future strategy is expected to:

Encourage the electrification of transportation, including electric vehicles and public transport.
Support renewable and low-carbon energy production (notably nuclear and green hydrogen).
Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Simplify energy taxation and pricing schemes, often criticized for their complexity.

Lecornu has hinted that further announcements will come in the next few weeks, positioning France as a European leader in affordable, sustainable electrification.

A Welcome Change After Years of Price Hikes

For context, electricity bills in France have soared in recent years. In January 2026, the standard 6 kVA regulated EDF subscription stands at €185.64 per year, representing a 114% increase since 2015.

This long-term surge has been driven by:

Increased wholesale energy costs during the European energy crisis.
Higher network maintenance and investment expenses.
The progressive removal of state-supported tariffs that once shielded households from volatility.

While a 5% drop won’t offset the decade-long upward trend, it could mark the start of a more balanced, sustainable pricing model.

What It Means for You

If you live in France, here’s what to expect:

Automatic adjustment: The lower rate will automatically apply to your electricity subscription from February 1, 2026.
Minimal paperwork: You won’t need to take any administrative steps.
Modest impact: Expect a few euros in savings per month — small but symbolically significant as France moves toward cheaper, greener electricity.

Final Thoughts

In a country where energy costs weigh heavily on household budgets, even small reductions can make a difference. This step also underlines a larger ambition: making France a frontrunner in clean, sovereign, and affordable electrification.

Energy policy watchers will be looking closely at Lecornu’s upcoming announcements to see whether this is the beginning of a true energy renaissance — or just a temporary relief before the next tariff reform.