Summarize with AI
Business: How to properly understand your electricity bill?
Mis à jour le
February 25, 2026
6
Min reading
According to the Council for Economic Analysis (CAE), energy expenditure increased by 74% between 2020 and 2023. In this context, it is becoming vital for businesses to control their electricity consumption.
But how do you master something you don't understand? Knowing how to decipher your electricity bill is essential. Each element is an activatable lever to optimize energy costs and save money.
SirEnergies guides you to understand your electricity bill and make the best price choices at the beginning and throughout the life of your contract.
What are the key components of an electricity bill?
A company's electricity bill is made up of three main parts: electricity supply, subscription and taxes.
The delivery point (or PDL)
The delivery point (PDL) is the Electric meter identification number. In 14 figures, it allows electrical network managers (Enedis or ELD (Local Distribution Companies) to know precisely where to deliver the purchased electricity and the Subscribed Power.
If the company has several meters, it has Multiple PDLs.
The variable part of the electricity bill: energy consumption
The variable part of the bill corresponds to Price of actual electricity consumption over a given period of time.
The amount varies according to three elements: the Number of kilowatt hours consumed, tea Purchase price excluding VAT per kWh Negotiated with the energy supplier and the Rate options subscribed to the contract (full hours, Off-peak Hours...).
The Fixed Part of the Electricity Bill: The Subscription
The subscription includes the cost of transporting the energy to the electric meter and the management fees applied by the electricity supplier.
The TURPE
Known by the acronym TURPE (Tariff for the Use of Public Electricity Networks), delivery costs include A fixed part and a variable part, proportional to electricity consumption. Identical throughout the country, the fixed rate Is decided by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
Turpe's revenue is donated to Enedis, the ELD and RTE To operate, develop, modernize the network and accelerate the ecological transition.
On the electricity bill, TURPE is available in Three Statues : due (actual billing), due (estimated billing) and due (settlement).
An evolution of the TURPE scales is regulated by law in 1Er August of each year. Depending on the connection voltage, The TURPE 6 HTA/BT and TURPE 6 HTB are currently in force.
Management Fees
The amount of management fees varies Depending on the energy suppliers. They are free to apply their own rates. Negotiated at the Time of Subscription, The Fees Remain fixed throughout the duration of the electricity contract, regardless of electricity consumption.
Taxes and Contributions on the Electricity Bill
Three taxes are payable by businesses on their electricity bill.
The Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA)
The Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA) Finances pension rights employees in the electricity and gas industries covered by the old-age insurance scheme prior to 2005.
The CTA is calculated as a percentage of TURPE. Set by the State, CTA rates since 2021 have been:
- 21.93% of the fixed portion of TURPE excluding tax for consumers connected to the Enedis public distribution network.
- 10.11% of the fixed portion of TURPE excluding tax for companies connected to the RTE transport network.
Excise duty on electricity (e.g. TICFE/CSPE)
Since 2022, the excise duty on electricity includes CSPE (contribution to the public electricity service) and the TICFE (internal tax on the final consumption of electricity).
This tax levied on the sale and consumption of energy products is used to Finance National Energy Policies and the energy transition, in particular the development of renewable energies, the energy check and high-efficiency cogeneration.
The Maximum Excise Rates on Electricity are regulated by the Goods and Services Tax Code. They are fixed at €25.6875/MWh for small and medium-sized businesses, €22.5/MWh for high-power businesses and €32.0625/MWh for households and similar.
After a temporary reduction under the tariff shield, the electricity excise tariff was increased in 2024, to €20.5/MWh for businesses.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Electricity is subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). Two VAT rates coexist on the electricity bill:
- A rate reduced to 5.5%, applied to the subscription price and the Delivery Rate Contribution (CTA).
- A normal rate of 20%, applied to the price of electricity consumption and the excise duty on electricity.
We wrote an article dedicated to Main Energy Taxes on Electricity and Natural Gas.
Businesses: how to reduce their electricity bill in 2024?
Understanding the key elements of the electricity bill helps to understand the levers that a company can use to reduce its energy costs. Several rates can be optimized or negotiated.
Visualize your electricity consumption
The most obvious way to reduce your electricity budget is toAct on the Variable Part of the Bill. The Company Can Maneuver on Two Axes:
- Reduce the volume of your electricity consumption By Deploying Gestures of Energy Sobriety, by investing in energy efficiency works or by developing Photovoltaic Self-Consumption.
- Reduce the purchase price excluding VAT per kWh of electricity By comparing the offers of energy suppliers and by opting for the most interesting contract, to Fixed or Indexed Price, with the purchase of electricity on the Forward or Spot Market.
To make the right price choices, Knowing your electricity consumption habits is essential.
Did you know that?
With the SirEnergies application, you can visualize the quantities of electricity consumed in real time, identify your consumption peaks and identify periods of under-consumption according to your business activity and seasonal variations.
Optimize the cost of the subscription
Both components of the subscription cost can be optimized. The company can influence two elements of the electricity bill:
- Control Management Fees By comparing the rates applied by the various energy suppliers.
- Optimize the TURPE by choosing the most suitable subscribed power and the most suitable transport tariff formula (FTA) to his business. The calculations are complex to estimate the seasonal distribution and the most relevant version of use (short use - CU, medium use - MU or long use - LU). SirEnergies experts assist you in selecting the best price option.
Control the taxes applied to electricity
The company has limited leeway to reduce the share of taxes on the electricity bill:
- Set by the State, CTA is paid by all consumers, with no exceptions or possible exemptions.
- WAT Is paid by all consumers. But she Decreasing mechanically On the bill as soon as the company reduces its energy consumption or negotiates the price of its subscription.
- Excise Duty on Electricity is the only tax subject to discounts and exemptions. But access conditions are constrained. To benefit from them, companies must, for example: use their electricity for dual use (metallurgical processes, chemical reduction, electrolysis); manufacture non-metallic, energetic or electro-intensive mineral products; produce electricity or maintain production capacity; manage the guided transport of people and goods or public road transport.
Deciphering your electricity bill line by line and monitoring your consumption allows you to draw up your consumption profile.
Armed with this information, the company can adapt the rates and taxes applied to electricity and control its energy budget. Some complex choices require detailed analysis and expert support.
With its innovative approach, SirEnergies guides and helps you in your energy strategy, to buy your electricity at the best price and to optimize your energy contract.
Take the first step towards optimization
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The answers to your questions
What is energy sourcing?
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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.
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 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 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.
Quand faut-il renégocier son contrat d'électricité professionnel pour 2026 ?
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.
Quelle est la différence concrète entre le transport et la distribution d'électricité ?
Le transport (RTE) correspond aux "autoroutes" de l’électricité. Il s’agit de transporter de très grandes quantités d'énergie sur de longues distances, depuis les centrales de production (nucléaires, barrages, parcs éoliens offshore) vers les régions de consommation.
La distribution (Enedis) s'apparente aux "routes départementales" et aux rues. Elle récupère l'électricité à la sortie du réseau de transport pour la livrer directement chez le client final, en abaissant la tension pour qu'elle soit utilisable par vos appareils.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Comment l'eau est-elle transformée en électricité ?
Le processus repose sur l'utilisation de la force de l'eau (énergie cinétique) issue des courants, des chutes d'eau ou des dénivelés. Le fonctionnement suit trois étapes clés :
- Le barrage retient l'eau et l'oriente vers des conduites.
- La pression de l'eau fait tourner une turbine, créant de l'énergie mécanique.
- Une génératrice (alternateur) transforme cette énergie mécanique en électricité, laquelle est ensuite adaptée par un transformateur pour le réseau
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.
What are the PP1 and PP2 alert days?
These are signals sent by RTE during periods of tension on the electrical network. The Sirenergies tool informs you in real time to anticipate your uses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Qu'est-ce que le cosinus phi
C'est l'indicateur d'efficacité d'un appareil électrique ; il représente le ratio entre la puissance active (utile) et la puissance apparente (totale).
Pourquoi la France a-t-elle exporté un volume record d'électricité en 2025 ?
Ce record de 92,3 TWh s'explique par la conjonction de trois facteurs :
- Le redressement du parc nucléaire : Après les problèmes de corrosion sous contrainte de 2022, la production nucléaire a retrouvé une forte disponibilité (373 TWh).
- L'essor des renouvelables : Une capacité installée en hausse (solaire et éolien) et une production hydraulique solide.
- Une consommation intérieure atone : La demande française reste inférieure de 6 % à la moyenne historique, créant un surplus massif disponible pour nos voisins.
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.
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 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.
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.
Pourquoi le kVA est-il crucial pour les entreprises ?
Parce que la puissance souscrite en kVA détermine le prix de l'abonnement et que tout dépassement peut entraîner des surcoûts importants.
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.
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.
L'hydroélectricité est-elle une énergie "propre" ?
Oui, elle est considérée comme une énergie renouvelable à faibles émissions de gaz à effet de serre.
De plus, l'eau ne subit aucune transformation chimique durant le cycle de production et réintègre son milieu naturel en aval.
Cependant, la construction de barrages nécessite des mesures pour protéger les écosystèmes (débit minimum, passes à poissons).
Pourquoi mon contrat est-il en kVA et ma consommation en kWh ?
Le kVA mesure la capacité maximale que votre compteur peut supporter à un instant T, tandis que le kWh mesure la quantité d'énergie consommée sur une durée.
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.
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).
Quel est le nouveau record 2025 d'exportation d'électricité de la France ?
En 2025, la France a atteint un solde exportateur net de 92,3 TWh, battant le précédent record de 2024 (89 TWh).
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.
Quel est l'impact de ces exportations sur le prix de l'électricité pour les entreprises ?
L'abondance de production française tire les prix du marché de gros vers le bas.
En vertu du mécanisme de l'Ordre de Mérite (Merit Order), les centrales les moins coûteuses (nucléaire, renouvelables) couvrent la demande plus souvent, évinçant les centrales à gaz ou charbon plus onéreuses.
Cela multiplie les épisodes de prix bas, voire négatifs, sur le marché spot.
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.
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.
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.
The answers to your questions
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