March Gas Prices Drop by 5%: Good News for Households

2024-02-15 11:53:40

The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announces a further reduction in the benchmark gas price for the month of March. This downward trend, already observed in January and February, represents good news for households, whose energy bill has increased significantly with the increase in electricity prices on February 1.

The benchmark price will drop by 5% in March

The CRE recommends a price considered reasonable for the kilowatt hour (kWh), setting the price at 0.09291 euros including tax for households using gas mainly for heating, and at 0.11585 euros including tax per kWh for those using gas for heating. hot water and cooking. This drop, of around 5% compared to February, could be reflected in consumers’ bills.

CRE explains, however, that the monthly benchmark price reflects an average estimate of costs for suppliers, including supply costs on the wholesale market and non-supply costs such as commercial, transport and storage costs, as well as the supplier’s remuneration.

Will the fall in gas prices continue?

Currently, the Energy Regulatory Commission finds that wholesale gas prices are very low. However, despite this good news, more than 10 million gas-using households faced increased taxes at the start of the year. An increase which led to an increase in the variable portion all taxes included (TTC) in January 2024, mainly due to the modification of the internal tax on the consumption of natural gas (TICGN).

Fortunately, this increase was largely offset by the reduction in the tax-free portion. Thus, as of March 1, 2024, the variable portion including tax decreases by 5.59 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) compared to February. Since December 1, 2023, the variable portion including tax has recorded a drop of 11.14 euros per MWh, as indicated by the CRE in an official press release.

Unfortunately, this drop will not last, as a significant increase in gas distribution tariffs is planned by the summer. “ Taking these developments into account, CRE’s current projections anticipate an average benchmark price of around 120 euros/MWh (including tax) for July 2024, lower by around 6 euros/MWh than the average price of December 2023 (including with the increases announced on infrastructure prices) », underlines the CRE.

1708007303
#sigh #relief #households

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.