Summary of our market study

The French electricity market is estimated at between 100 and 110 billion euros.

The global electricity market has been experiencing structural growth in volume and value since 2020. Electricity capacity, production and consumption have all increased over this period, with revenues from power generation reaching over $2.3 trillion.

The Asia-Pacific region holds 42% of the market, compared with 23% for Western Europe.

Dynamics of the French electricity market

The opening up to competition in 2007 has enabled alternative suppliers to challenge incumbents like EDF, making the market more dynamic.

The French electricity market is stable, with more than 500 billion kilowatt-hours produced per year, and around 450 billion kilowatt-hours consumed in France

The residential sector is responsible for almost 40% of electricity consumption, mainly for heating, air conditioning and household electronics.

Businesses and professionals, including SMEs and the tertiary sector, account for a larger share of electricity demand than large-scale industry.

Metallurgy, the food industry and the chemical industry are among the biggest consumers in their segment.

Despite market liberalization, incumbent suppliers retain a large market share.

In terms of distribution and transmission, the networks are managed by monopolistic entities, with RTE handling transmission and Enedis distribution.

The transition to renewable energies continues to reshape the French electricity landscape.

French electricity market players

EDF (Électricité de France)
EDF subsidiaries RTE and Enedis manage the country's transmission and distribution networks respectively.
Local Distribution Companies (ELD) maintain a local presence, serving specific territories in France.
Engie, one of the world's leading energy suppliers
Total Direct Energie, the leading alternative supplier
Alpiq and Uniper These suppliers offer specialized services and market offerings tailored to the needs of large and medium-sized consumers.

the electricity market - France

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Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
Format : Digital and PDF versions
Last update : 07/10/2022

Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definitions

Electricity is a form of energy that can be produced in a variety of ways, and is used to power electrical appliances and devices. The electricity market is organized around four main areas: generation, supply, transmission and distribution.

On July 1, 2007, the French electricity and natural gas markets were fully opened up to competition. This enabled new players to enter the market and compete with incumbent leaders such as EDF, which held a virtual monopoly on its own (some local public companies were nevertheless authorized to continue operating as Entreprises Locales de Distribution (ELD)).

To enable free competition, it was necessary to separate the activities. As EDF was involved from generation to supply of electricity, it was necessary to separate the different activities in order to open up certain parts to competition. From this, 4 activities emerged:

generation: the power plants that produce electricity
transmission : the transport of the electricity produced, high voltage
distribution: the second part of transport, from low voltage to the distribution of this electricity to the various points of use
sale or supply : the wholesale purchase of electricity, followed by resale at the various points of consumption

In France, electricity transmission still operates as a monopoly and is handled by RTE (Commission de Régulation de l'Energie), an EDF subsidiary. Electricity distribution is also close to a monopoly, as it is mainly handled by Enedis, another EDF subsidiary, but also by other local distribution companies.

Electricity generation and supply, on the other hand, are open to competition. Several companies are involved in both activities, including EDF, Direct Energie and Engie.

Sales in the French electricity market are on the rise, even though electricity consumption is stagnating. Electricity production reached 531 billion kilowatt-hours in 2021. This situation is mainly due to rising electricity prices. While opening up to competition was supposed to bring prices down, rising costs and limited access to raw materials have led to higher tariffs.

This rise in prices has been reinforced by the development of green energies and more efficient, environmentally-friendly offerings. Indeed, the energy transition has become the central issue for the sector, and represents a potential for future growth.

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