The “tariff shield” on electricity will not result in a “catch-up” on bills in 2023, despite a need for additional financing of around two billion euros to implement this measure, announced on Monday 30 May, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire.
The government had pledged to limit the rise in electricity bills to 4% in 2022, a measure that will cost more than expected. “There is going to be a need for additional financing in 2023, [because] electricity prices have rather moved upwards”, acknowledged Mr. Le Maire.
This funding requirement, “of the order of two billion euros”, “will be financed by the finance bill that we will examine at the start of the next school year, next October, for 2023”, he continued. in front of journalists. “I want to be very clear with our compatriots, there will be no catch-up on their electricity bill. French consumers will not see any catch-up related to this financing need on their bill in 2023,” he insisted.
Political subject before the legislative elections
The association of consumers and users CLCV had warned that the tariff shield for this year could only be a “mirage”, with a probable 8% tariff catch-up on electricity in 2023. such a catch-up is very likely to induce a stratospheric rise in the price of electricity at the beginning of 2023″, was worried, in a press release, the association for the defense of consumers, which based its fears on a recent deliberation of the regulatory commission energy (CRE).
In a context of high inflation and the approach of legislative elections, this perspective has also taken a political turn. “An 8% increase in electricity is well planned by the government. I had warned the French that Emmanuel Macron was lying to them and would increase their bill after the elections,” reacted Marine Le Pen on Twitter. “It will be the same for gas and fuel. Only RN MPs will protect you from this racket,” she wrote.
“In 2023, we want to continue to protect the French against the increase in electricity and gas prices”, for his part, assured Mr. Le Maire, considering that it is however too early to give details. on this subject. “I’ll give you an appointment at the start of the 2022 school year, when we will examine the finance bill,” he said.
