Rise in gas and electricity prices: towards a surge in 2022?

The economic recovery following the Covid-19 crisis is one of the main reasons given for the spike in energy prices in the summer of 2021. What is the outlook for the coming months? come ? What aid has been put in place to deal with this increase?

Why are gas and electricity prices rising?

On September 1, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announced an 8.7% rise in prices domestic gas, after the 10% increase recorded in July and 5% in August. These figures have a strong impact on the bills of customers subject to the regulated tariff: their monthly amount would have increased by 50.8% since the start of 2021. As for electricity prices, they increased by 1.6% in February and 0.48% in August.

This surge in gas and electricity prices is largely explained by the strong economic growth observed for several months, following the crisis caused by Covid-19. However, other factors also come into play:

> Read also: Energy prices: further rise in gas and electricity

Gas and electricity prices: what are the prospects for 2022?

As regards gas, prices are still to increase by 12.6% for the month of October 2021. A unprecedented upward movement that the Government has decided to stop by announcing a “tariff shield”. This device makes it possible to freeze regulated gas prices on November 1 until the spring of 2022. The objective is to avoid further price increases during this period for the 5 million households concerned.

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As for electricity, prices continue to soar on the wholesale markets, which suggests a very sharp increase in regulated tariffs from February 2022, of around 10%. However, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a cap on price increases at 4% until February 2023. In other words, the regulated electricity tariff, which concerns 38 million individuals, will only increase by 4% on February 1, 2022.

> Also read: Four tips for economical gas heating despite soaring prices

What aid to deal with the rise in gas and electricity prices?

Beyond the "tariff shield" which makes it possible to counter the rise in gas and electricity prices, the Government has decided to pay exceptional additional aid to those who benefit from the energy voucher. The latter is between 48 and 277 euros, depending on household income, and helps to give a boost for the payment of energy bills. The system is supplemented by the automatic payment of an additional check for 100 euros in December 2021.

In addition, the French energy company Engie intends to help households that find themselves in difficulty paying their bills in this particular context. The advisers of the Regulated Tariff Department can in particular offer staggered bill payments according to each situation. An information number – 34 60 – has been set up to answer all questions.

The consumer, meanwhile, is invited to review his monthly payments to avoid an excessively large adjustment bill later. The solution also lies in changing the heating system to turn to cheaper energy – enough to benefit from aid schemes such as MaPrimeRenov’ to finance the work.

> Read also: Energy check 2021: 100 euros more granted to beneficiaries!

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