Structural reformIn effectSocial benefitsNational

Nationwide energy voucher replacing social electricity and gas tariffs

On 1 January 2018 the energy voucher, piloted since 2016 in Ardèche, Aveyron, Côtes-d'Armor and Pas-de-Calais, is extended to the whole of France and replaces the basic-needs electricity tariff and the solidarity gas tariff, whose rights end on 31 December 2017. Decree No. 2016-555 of 6 May 2016, implementing article 201 of the energy transition law, sets this date and the eligibility rule: a reference taxable income per consumption unit below €7,700. The voucher pays energy bills or energy renovation works.

Measure originators

InitiatorGVT

Ségolène Royal

Gouvernement

Impact on public finances

Costs 80 m €/yr2018 estimate · State

Source of the estimate: Rapport général n° 108 (2017-2018) de la commission des finances du Sénat sur le PLF 2018, annexe Écologie, développement et mobilité durables (Indirect official figure)

A positive amount is revenue or savings for public finances; a negative amount is a cost or lost revenue.

Effective date

1 January 2018

Measure impact

About 4 million low-income households automatically receive an energy voucher, whatever their heating fuel (electricity, gas, oil or wood), instead of a discount on electricity or gas bills only. Planned cost for the State in 2018: €581.1m, compared with about €500m for the social tariffs in 2017.