Electricity Prices in France: EDF Tarif Bleu, cheapest kWh rates and what drives your bill

EDF Tarif Bleu — The Reference Price for Electricity in France

EDF's Tarif Bleu is the regulated sale tariff for electricity in France, set by the Ministry of the Economy after consultation with the CRE (Energy Regulation Commission). More than 6 out of 10 French households subscribe to EDF, and alternative suppliers use it to position their own offers. If we consider a standard 6 kVA meter on the Base option, the average price per kWh in France is 0.194€, with an annual subscription of €187.8.

Base, HP/HC and Tempo price grids

The Tarif Bleu comes in three meter options. In May, prices per kWh are:

• 0.194€/kWh i Prices last certified: 2 February 2026 (source: EDF Tarif Bleu) with the Base option (same rate around the clock) ;
• 0.2065€/kWh i Prices last certified: 2 February 2026 (source: EDF Tarif Bleu) during peak hours (HP/HC option) ;
• 0.1579€/kWh i Prices last certified: 2 February 2026 (source: EDF Tarif Bleu) during off-peak hours (HP/HC option).

Here is the full EDF Tarif Bleu price grid by subscribed power (Base option):

Note: the Base option is being phased out for subscribed powers of 9 kVA and above — new contracts at 9–15 kVA can no longer subscribe to Base since February 2025, and 18–36 kVA since February 2026. Existing customers keep their option; new subscribers at those powers must choose HP/HC.

And the peak/off-peak (HP/HC) price grid:

The Tempo option

The Tempo option is a regulated tariff offering very attractive rates on 343 days a year — between 25% and 50% cheaper than the Base rate during blue and white days. On the remaining 22 red days per year (peak demand days, mainly in winter), prices are around 3 times higher than the Base tariff during peak hours. Tempo suits customers who can shift heavy appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, water heater) outside of red-day peak hours.

Want to see how market offers compare to the Tarif Bleu? Call Selectra on +33 9 87 67 37 93 — English-speaking advisors find the best deal for your home. Free service.

Average Electricity Cost in France

Average annual electricity bill

With the average French household consuming around 4,300 kWh of electricity per year (Enedis 2024 data, excluding all-electric heating homes), annual electricity costs range from €1,057 to €1,723 depending on the supplier and contract chosen — around €108 per month. Switching to a cheaper alternative supplier is the most effective way to reduce that bill.

Evolution of electricity prices in France

The EDF regulated tariff changes on average twice a year, in February and August. Below is the historical evolution since 2006, and how the bill breaks down between supply, network and taxes:

A structural change took effect on 1 January 2026: the ARENH mechanism — which obliged EDF to sell up to 100 TWh/year of nuclear electricity to alternative suppliers at a fixed €42/MWh — ended after 14 years. It has been replaced by the Versement Nucléaire Universel (VNU), a redistribution mechanism that only activates when EDF's nuclear revenues exceed €78/MWh. Since current market prices (~€65–70/MWh) remain below this threshold, no redistribution is planned for 2026 and consumer prices are unaffected for now (source: CRE evaluation, 2026).

Considering switching supplier? Call Selectra on +33 9 87 67 37 93 — English-speaking advisors compare all current offers for your situation. Free service.

Wholesale Electricity Price in May 2026

The wholesale electricity price (EPEX Spot) is the market price at which electricity is traded between producers and suppliers. It fluctuates daily and directly influences the market offers available from alternative suppliers. Here is the current wholesale spot price:

• Today (18/05/2026): 0.1322 €/kWh ;
• Yesterday: 0.0977 €/kWh ;
• One year ago: 0.0642 €/kWh.

The wholesale price reached its peak on 30 August 2022 at €0.744/kWh during the post-pandemic energy crisis. Below is the full historical evolution: