Ski resorts, worried about the very high price of electricity, are calling on the government to validate a European proposal for a cap at 180 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) and to allow them to benefit from aid put in place by Bercy for businesses energy consumers.
Around 40% of French resorts (out of 300) are currently renegotiating their energy contract with their suppliers, Jean-Luc Boch, president of the National Association of Mountain Resort Mayors, told AFP ( ANMSM), meeting in general assembly on Wednesday in Briançon (Hautes-Alpes).
However, “
the price per megawatt hour was until now around 60 euros.
Suppliers find it difficult to announce a price to their customers because it fluctuates from simple to tenfold in the space of a day.
The stations cannot sign a contract with so much instability, they are waiting for a ceiling
, ”said Jean-Luc Boch, also mayor of La Plagne Tarentaise (Savoie).
A "balance could be found around 200 euros per MWh"
“
In addition to the European megawatt-hour cap at 180 euros, we are asking that the stations benefit from state aid which provides for a subsidy for companies whose energy cost exceeds 3% of turnover.
This is the case for stations up to 5%.
This aid must be adapted to the real evolution of the cost of energy
”, pleaded for his part Pierre Vollaire, mayor of Orres (Hautes-Alpes) and vice-president of the ANMSM.
The Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Dominique Faure, confirmed that the subject would be on the table during an exchange with mountain elected officials scheduled for Thursday at the Ministry of the Economy, but hinted that the discussions could put still some time to complete.
"
We will have to be a little patient, perhaps not to sign these contracts with EDF too quickly
, ”she told AFP on the sidelines of the general meeting.
According to her, a “
balance could be found around 200 euros per MWh
”.
Some ski resorts “
have built a business plan and business models that can make it work for 200 euros
”.
The government should in any case position itself before the beginning of December, she added.
To avoid power cuts, resorts are invited to reduce their consumption by 5% during peak hours and by 10% overall until March 31, 2023. Resorts will, for example, reduce the speed of ski lifts and lower the temperature in their buildings.
The price of packages should increase by 3 to 6% due to inflation and the energy crisis according to the ANMSM.
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Despite the uncertainties, Jean-Luc Boch wanted to be reassuring: “
Most, if not almost all of the resorts told us that they would be open this season.
We must not create an anxiety
-provoking climate,” he said.