Rising gas, electricity and heating-oil prices are putting pressure on household budgets in France and making it harder for some people to take part in the energy transition, according to the national energy Ombudsman. More than one in three households have had difficulty paying at least some energy bills, compared with 18% in 2020, the latest Energie-info barometer found, published on Tuesday, November 3.
Ombudsman Bernard Doroszczuk said financial strain can prevent households from investing in measures that would electrify their energy use. People facing a fall in purchasing power are less able to pay upfront costs, including those for a heat pump or an electric car, even when such changes could eventually reduce bills.
People under 35 are particularly affected. The barometer found that 55% of this age group have difficulty paying energy bills, against 34% of the French population overall. The report also highlights thermal discomfort in both winter and summer, and Doroszczuk called for continued assistance for households on low incomes, including support to improve home insulation.
The ombudsman also raised concerns about energy-saving certificates, which affect energy bills across the country. In his view, households with greater financial resources are better placed to fund insulation and electrification projects and benefit from the support linked to the certificates. He suggested considering new forms of assistance, potentially financed by savings generated after insulation work, warning that without action the transition could leave some households behind.
Sources: Le Figaro.