25-02-2025
France to increase electricity charges for households without a Linky
Most households in France already have a Linky.
This is the small bright yellow box that is usually placed near to or within your fuse box - it is a smart meter, keeping track of exactly how much electricity you are using and sending that information straight to your supplier, who uses it to calculate your bills.
Depending on the property type, the Linky can also function as a fuse box with a 'reset' button to press if your electricity has fused. If you have a power cut and need to ring the grid supplier Enedis, the message on the digital display of the Linky will help them to work out what the problem is.
Electricity companies like the Linky, since it enables them to save money on the cost of sending people out to take meter readings, or paying call centre staff to take readings sent in by phone.
And most householders like them too since it avoids 'estimated' bills and allows you to track your electricity consumption more precisely.
But around 2 million households still don't have a Linky installed, and from August 1st 2025, they will face an annual extra charge, the Commission de régulation de l'énergie (CRE) has announced.
How much?
This is for households who refuse to have a Linky installed - if a technician has tried to install one and it is not possible (which is rare), then you should not be charged.
However, people who refuse to have one installed can be charged an extra fee of up to €6.48 every two months, the CRE has ruled - working out at €38.88 per year.
People who refuse to have a Linky installed and also refuse to either provide a meter reading or schedule an appointment with a technician can be charged an additional €4.14 every two months, working out at €63.72 per year.
What's the extra for?
Electricity companies can save money on staffing if everyone has a Linky, and they say the extra is needed to cover the staff costs they incur through getting meter readings the old-fashioned way.
The CRE is the energy regulator, so it is providing a maximum amount that companies are allowed to charge.
It's technically an extra cost rather than a fine, but most people will see it as a punishment or attempt to pressure people into getting a Linky.
Why would people not want a Linky?
The little yellow plastic box and become the centre of conspiracy theories in France, where people claim the government is using them to spy on you.
Even people who haven't quite gone that far down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole will often tell you that your bills will increase if you get a Linky.
In reality it's usually the other way round. It also enables companies to send out bills based on your actual monthly usage, so you won't get estimated bills, which tend to be higher.
If you have one you can also track your electricity usage more carefully - using apps such as Edf&Moi - which will tell you exactly how much electricity you are using and when. This allows you to cut the portion of your bill that is made up of electricity usage (as opposed to the flat fees and subscription costs) and also to track any appliance that is accounting for a very high percentage of energy use, and may therefore be faulty.
But it's still your choice, as long as you don't mind paying the extra fee.
