The Covid-19 pandemic has unexpected effects ... such as driving up electricity prices!
In mid-January, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) will present to the government its revision of the regulated sales tariff (TRV), the reference tariff sold by EDF.
Inflation of at least + 2% is expected, according to the calculations of Planète OUI, one of the alternative suppliers and specialist in green energies.
Or around thirty euros more per year and per household.
In question, the anti-blackout mechanism put in place three years ago and intended to secure the maintenance and modernization of the electrical system.
Since 2017, each supplier must prove its ability to produce enough electricity in relation to the consumption of its customers, particularly during peaks linked to cold.
It can also buy additional “capacities” from producers, during auctions organized on a dedicated market.
The maintenance of nuclear reactors delayed
Except that this capacity market has literally soared this year.
Blame it on the Covid-19 epidemic which prevented EDF from providing part of the scheduled maintenance on its nuclear reactors.
So much so that RTE (Electricity transmission network), the network manager, placed this winter "under special vigilance".
Fearing the difficulties, suppliers rushed into the capacity market.
CQFD.
"The megawatt (MW) sold for up to 53,000 euros during the October auctions," notes Albert Codinach, CEO of Planète OUI.
Never seen.
By way of comparison, the average auction last year was 19,000 euros!
»Problem: this surge necessarily increases the cost of electricity for end consumers, since it is included in the selling prices.
Another criticism: EDF's stranglehold on this capacity market.
“The incumbent operator owns more than 90%, observes Albert Codinach.
Thanks to his dominant position, he earns a lot of money with this device.
“Especially since RTE, of which EDF is however the majority shareholder (50.1%), plays the role of“ justice of the peace ”.
"A funny mix of genres," said another supplier, on condition of anonymity.
Make no mistake: in this case, EDF is dictating its law.
In the capacity market, its production branch sells megawatts to its trade branch.
The money thus passes from the right pocket to the left pocket.
The higher the capacity prices, the more profitable the operation.
"Some producers may indeed be tempted to cheat"
In all this Mi'kmaq, the CRE, which sets the prices of TRVs, has the thorny mission of keeping watch.
"Certain producers may indeed be tempted to cheat by putting capacity on the market at very high prices," recognizes one of the Commission executives.
But sanctions do exist.
To the discharge of EDF, they have never yet targeted it.
"Contacted this Sunday, the electrician replied" not to be able to comment. "
There remains the consumer, who sees electricity prices rising inexorably.
2% more therefore from the month of January due to this mechanism.
Not to mention the other costs that enter into the calculations, and which could also be revised upwards.
Over the past ten years, the price of electricity has risen by 50%.
