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Business: How to properly understand your gas bill?
Mis à jour le
March 6, 2026
7
Min reading
The first step in optimizing your contract and controlling your gas budget is to understand your consumption and the different rates applied by energy suppliers.
Deciphering the gas bill makes it possible to identify the most relevant elements to optimize for your business according to the consumption profile.
SirEnergies accompanies you on this path. Here are the keys to understanding your gas bill and choosing the most efficient rate offer.
What are the key components of a gas bill?
The gas bill for businesses is divided into three main parts: gas supply, subscription and taxes and contributions.
The counting and estimation point (or PCE)
The PCE or counting and estimating point is the gas meter identification number.
Each PCE is identified by GRDF by a unique identifier, composed either of 14 numbers, or letters “GI” followed by 6 numbers. It allows system operators to identify the customer and to know where to transport the natural gas.
Note that the PCE is included in all invoices from energy suppliers.
The variable part of the gas bill: the supply of energy
The variable portion of the gas bill corresponds to cost of actual gas consumption over a given period : the amount is calculated by multiplying the total consumption by the purchase price per kWh or MWh before tax. The quantity expressed is designated by the two letters TQ, meaning “Quantity Term”.
The gas bill also specifies the Tariff zone in which the company is located. Unlike electricity, The price per kWh of natural gas varies according to the geographical area.
Thus, the farther the customer is from major gas routes and storage centers, the more the rate increases to cover higher delivery costs.
The fixed part of the gas bill: the subscription
On the gas bill, the subscription includes two elements : the monthly subscription and the costs of transporting and distributing natural gas.
Delivery costs
The costs of transporting and distributing gas include a particularity of natural gas: its costs of storing.
The delivery is financed by two rates, fixed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) :
- Third-Party Access to Distribution Networks (ATRD) : this rate is used to finance the operation, extension and maintenance of distribution networks. The revenue is donated to GRDF and to ELD (Local Distribution Companies), gas distribution network managers. The new ATRD 7 rate will apply from 1Er July 2024 for a period of four years. The average increase in tariff terms will amount to + 27.5% to cover the increase in management costs and compensate for the 4-year stability of the ATRD 6 tariff.
- Third-Party Access to Transport Networks (ATRT) : this rate is the ATRD counterpart for the transport network. The ATRT participates in the investments of transmission system operators GRTgaz and Teréga (ex-TIGF) to maintain and modernise infrastructures. In particular, it finances innovative biomethane injection projects. The ATRT includes the remuneration of storage players such as Storengy, Géomethane or Teréga. Entered into force on 1Er April 2024 for a period of 4 years, The ATRT 8 results in an increase of 19% in 2024.
The ATRT and the ATRD include a fixed portion and a variable portion. The variable portion is proportional to the actual consumption of natural gas. It sometimes appears on the bill in the “Energy” section, integrated into the “Quantity Term” (TQ).
Management fees
Each month, the customer pays his energy supplier a subscription to cover management costs. The fixed price is negotiated at the start of the contract. It is independent of the volumes of gas consumed and due by the customer even if its consumption is zero.
Taxes and contributions on the gas bill
three taxes are liable by companies on their gas bill: the Transport Tariff Contribution (CTA), the excise duty on natural gas and VAT.
The Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA)
The Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA) finances the old-age insurance system employees in the electricity and gas industries who retired before 2005.
The amount of the CTA represents a Percentage of rates for third party access to distribution and transport networks (ART/LATE).
Set by the State, the CTA rates on the gas bill have represented since the 1Er July 2021:
• 4.71% of the fixed portion of the duty-free delivery rate for natural gas transport services.
• 20.80% of the fixed portion of the duty-free delivery rate for natural gas distribution services.
Excise duty on natural gas (ex-TICGN)
Since 2022, the excise on natural gas has replaced the Domestic Tax on the Consumption of Natural Gas (TICGN).
Paid by all consumers, this tax finances the national energy policy and the energy transition, in particular the development of renewable energies and energy solidarity.
The excise tariff on natural gas in 2024 amounts to €16.37/MWh. Set by the Code of Impositions on Goods and Services, it evolves according to the quantities of biomethane injected into the gas network.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Like any consumer product, natural gas is subject to Value Added Tax (VAT).
Two VAT rates coexist on the gas bill:
• A rate reduced to 5.5%, applied to the subscription price and the amount of the Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA).
• A normal rate of 20%, applied to the price of gas consumption and the amount of excise duty on natural gas.
Businesses: how to reduce their gas bill in 2024?
Deciphering each line of the gas bill makes it possible to identify the elements that can be activated by the company to save money and control its energy budget. Each part can be optimized.
Visualize your gas consumption
Act on the amount of gas consumption is the most effective way to reduce the bill. Businesses have two levers that they can activate jointly:
- Reduce the quantities of gas consumed : energy sobriety, energy efficiency and renewable energies are the winning triptych for improving the company's energy autonomy and controlling its consumption. Maintaining the boiler and adjusting the heating temperature according to the occupancy of the premises are also simple solutions for a quick and visible effect on the gas bill.
- Negotiate the purchase price excluding tax for the gas molecule by comparing the offers of energy suppliers and by choosing the most suitable tariff offer, at a fixed or indexed price, with the purchase of spot or long-term gas products.
Did you know that?
The SirEnergies application allows you to visualize your gas consumption at a glance, day by day, and aggregated monthly.
With dashboards and charts, you can parse its annual evolution and calculate precisely for each period the volumes of gas necessary to cover your needs.
Our experts will help you to decipher your profile and subscribe to the most efficient gas offer for you.
Optimize subscription costs
Set by the CRE, the delivery rates are the same for all gas suppliers. On the other hand, they vary every year, at 1Er April for the ATRT and on the 1stEr July for the ATRD.
Some providers guarantee a fixed price for the duration of the contract, without applying any increases decided by the CRE. Other providers adjust the rate every year. This point should be considered when subscribing to the gas supply contract.
The company can also reduce the variable portion of the delivery rate by reducing its consumption.
Another point to be negotiated during the negotiation of the gas contract with the energy supplier: the amount of management fees, which varies from one supplier to another. If this seems anecdotal, it can save the company a few dozen euros per year.
Control the taxes applied to gas
Only the excise duty on natural gas benefits from exemptions and discounts, accessible under strict conditions.
To be eligible, the company must not use gas only as fuel. Gas consumption must be intended for dual use (metallurgical processes, chemical reduction, electrolysis) or for the production of non-metallic mineral products, energy products or electricity.
One special excise tariff also applies in specific cases: to natural gas used as fuel in the agricultural sector; to biogas fuel not injected into the network; to large energy-consuming companies subject to the greenhouse gas quota market or exposed to the risk of carbon leaks.
CTA and VAT do not benefit from any exemption or reduction. On the other hand, if the company reduces its gas consumption, VAT decreases mechanically.
Whether for electricity or gas, the bill is an essential document to control your energy budget. Its analysis makes it possible to know its annual reference consumption (CAR) and to understand the changes in energy consumption, taxes, prices and tariffs.
With this information, businesses can identify the elements that need to be optimized first for a quick and effective financial result.
Faced with the complexity of the gas market, SirEnergies offers you its expertise to decipher your bills and build an efficient energy strategy at the service of your business.
Take the first step towards optimization
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The answers to your questions
Quand faut-il renégocier son contrat d'électricité professionnel pour 2026 ?
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Idéalement entre 6 et 12 mois avant l'échéance, de préférence au printemps ou au début de l'été lorsque la demande est plus faible.
Why change energy suppliers?
Changing suppliers can allow you to benefit from more competitive prices, adapted services or better contractual conditions. Thanks to sourcing, change is happening without interruption of supply.
Qu'est-ce qui remplace l'ARENH en 2026 pour les entreprises ?
L'ARENH est remplacé par le VNU (Versement Nucléaire Universel), un mécanisme de redistribution des revenus excédentaires d'EDF en cas de prix très élevés, et par les CAPN, des contrats long terme pour les gros industriels.
What are the energy challenges of the agricultural sector?
Farms must deal with high seasonal needs (greenhouse heating, irrigation, storage) and high volatility of prizes. Controlling these costs is essential to maintain profitability and secure the business.
Comment réduire ma facture si les prix du marché sont volatils ?
En 2026, les principaux leviers sont : la renégociation de votre contrat de fourniture au bon moment, l'optimisation de votre tarif d'acheminement (TURPE), la vérification de votre éligibilité aux taux réduits de taxes (Accise), et la réduction de votre consommation (efficacité énergétique, autoconsommation).
What taxes are particularly relevant to manufacturers?
The industry is concerned by TICFE, TICGN and other contributions that may represent an important part of invoices. Sirenergies identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to benefit from them.
How do I read an electricity or gas bill?
One invoice consists of several elements: consumption, supplier share, taxes and contributions. The analysis of each line makes it possible to identify possible errors and to check the consistency with the signed contract.
What is energy sourcing?
Sourcing consists in identifying and analysing the offers of several electricity and gas suppliers. This approach makes it possible to obtain contracts adapted to the consumption profile and budgetary constraints of the company.
Le prix de l'électricité va-t-il baisser en 2026 ?
Pas nécessairement sur votre facture finale. Si les prix de gros (le prix de l'énergie brute) ont baissé, les coûts d'acheminement (TURPE) et certaines taxes augmentent, compensant souvent la baisse de la part énergie.
How to properly define your subscribed power?
The subscribed power must be calculated according to the consumption profile and uses (heating, industrial processes, tertiary equipment). One fine analysis makes it possible to ensure the adequacy between real need and contract.
Comment financer les travaux communaux sans augmenter la taxe foncière ?
Plusieurs leviers existent pour préserver la fiscalité locale :
- Les CEE (Certificats d’Économie d’Énergie) : Un financement privé majeur pour l'efficacité énergétique.
- L'optimisation de l'achat d'énergie : Choisir des contrats adaptés (prix fixes, indexés ou groupés) pour dégager des marges de manœuvre dès la première année.
- Les aides publiques : Mobiliser le Fonds Vert, le FEDER ou le Fonds Chaleur.
Qu'est-ce qui remplace l'ARENH depuis le 1er janvier 2026 ?
Le dispositif ARENH a laissé place au VNU (Versement Nucléaire Universel).
Ce changement structurel expose davantage les entreprises aux prix de gros, rendant la gestion des risques plus complexe qu'auparavant.
Il devient alors indispensable de définir une stratégie d'achat d'électricité avec Sirenergies pour lisser l'impact de la volatilité des marchés sur votre budget.
What is the point of following Spot & Forward prices?
This makes it possible to choose the right time to contract, secure your budgets and anticipate increases.
Comment réduire la puissance souscrite de son compteur ?
En analysant votre courbe de charge pour identifier la puissance réelle appelée, puis en demandant un ajustement à votre fournisseur ou via un expert en énergie.
What are the main taxes applicable?
Among the taxes include TICFE, TICGN, CTA, CJA and TURPE. They represent a significant part of the bill and vary according to consumption profiles. Understanding them well is essential to optimize costs.
Pourquoi l'humain est-il le premier levier de la performance énergétique ?
Même le bâtiment le plus moderne et le mieux isolé perd son efficacité si ses usages sont inadaptés. La technologie et les normes ne suffisent pas : la transition énergétique est avant tout une transformation humaine.
Derrière chaque kilowattheure consommé se cache une habitude.
Un collaborateur sensibilisé comprend qu'ouvrir une fenêtre alors que le chauffage est allumé ou laisser un ordinateur en veille consomme de l'énergie inutilement. En replaçant l'humain au centre de la stratégie de gestion de l'énergie, l'entreprise s'assure que ses équipements performants sont utilisés de manière optimale, garantissant ainsi une rentabilité durable et un impact environnemental réduit.
Who can benefit from optimizing invoices and taxes?
All businesses, from SMEs to large organizations, can benefit from this service. Les local authorities also find it a lever to better control their budgets.
How do I get a tax exemption?
Some businesses may obtain a partial or total exemption from the TICFE or the TICGN, depending on their activity and energy intensity. The support of an expert makes it possible to identify the eligibility criteria and to put together the file.
Which taxes are particularly relevant for farms?
Farms are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies verifies their application, identifies cases of exemption and accompanies the procedures to reduce the tax burden.
Quel est l'impact réel de la rénovation de l'éclairage public ?
C'est le levier le plus rapide pour obtenir des résultats visibles. L'éclairage représente environ 40 % de la consommation d'électricité d'une commune.
Passer au LED avec pilotage intelligent permet de réduire la facture de 50 à 80 %, avec un retour sur investissement (ROI) rapide, souvent estimé à 2 ou 3 ans.
What are the concrete benefits for tertiary companies?
Les profits include a direct reduction in bills, strengthened budgetary forecasting and better control of consumption. Businesses gain visibility and efficiency thanks to adapted tools.
Comment mobiliser les collaborateurs autour d'un projet de sobriété énergétique ?
La réussite d'un projet collectif énergie repose sur trois piliers fondamentaux :
- La visibilité : On ne gère bien que ce que l'on mesure. Partager les données de consommation via des outils comme l'application Pilott donne un sens concret aux efforts fournis.
- L'incarnation : Nommer des ambassadeurs énergie internes permet de diffuser les bonnes pratiques par l'exemple et de lever les freins opérationnels propres à chaque métier.
- La gamification : Transformer la contrainte en défi (challenges inter-services, concours de l'équipe la plus sobre) crée une dynamique positive et renforce la cohésion d'équipe autour des enjeux RSE.
Quelles sont les nouvelles obligations pour le Décret Tertiaire et l'Audit Énergétique ?
Le calendrier 2026 impose deux échéances majeures :
- la déclaration des consommations 2025 sur la plateforme OPERAT avant le 30 septembre
- la réalisation d'un audit énergétique avant le 11 octobre pour toutes les entreprises consommant plus de 2,75 GWh/an.
Pour simplifier ces démarches, vous pouvez centraliser vos données de consommation avec la plateforme Pilott de Sirenergies, garantissant ainsi la conformité de vos rapports réglementaires.
Pourquoi ma facture de gaz va-t-elle augmenter en 2026 ?
L'augmentation s'explique par la revalorisation de l'Accise sur le gaz à 16,39 €/MWh et la hausse de 3,41 % du tarif de transport (ATRT 8).
S'y ajoute l'entrée en vigueur des Certificats de Production de Biogaz (CPB), un nouveau coût réglementaire pour soutenir le biométhane.
Face à ces évolutions, Sirenergies vous accompagne dans l'achat de gaz naturel pour sécuriser vos prix malgré la volatilité du marché.
What is the difference between €/MWh and kWh?
The €/MWh is a price unit used in wholesale markets, while kWh is the unit visible on your bills.
How to optimize taxes and contributions?
Tertiary companies are concerned by taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies checks the accuracy of invoices, identifies possible exemptions, and helps correct errors to sustainably reduce costs.
What are the energy challenges for manufacturers?
Industrial companies consume large volumes of energy for their production processes. They have to deal with the volatility of prizes, multi-site management and specific taxes. Controlling costs is essential to remain competitive.
Why launch an energy tender?
Un appel d’offres permet de mettre en concurrence plusieurs fournisseurs d’électricité et de gaz afin d’obtenir des conditions contractuelles optimisées. C’est une démarche transparente qui permet de choisir l’offre la plus adaptée aux besoins budgétaires et techniques de l’organisation.
What are the challenges for tertiary companies?
Tertiary companies must manage their energy costs while guaranteeing the comfort of users (offices, shops, services). Consumption is often linked to heating, air conditioning and lighting, which requires precise monitoring to avoid budgetary excesses.
What are the consequences of overpowering?
Exceeding capacity leads to financial penalties and can impact the size of the contract. Adjust the correctly subscribed power makes it possible to avoid these additional costs.
What are the advantages of sourcing?
Sourcing offers better visibility on the market and promotes the selection of competitive contracts. It helps to reduce the risks associated with price volatility and to optimize the energy budget.
How to optimize the taxes and contributions of a community?
Communities are subject to taxes such as TICFE or TICGN. Sirenergies analyzes invoices, identifies exemption possibilities and fixes possible errors to reduce the tax burden.
The answers to your questions
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