Since the 2000s, The French gas market is gradually opening up to competition under the impetus of the European Union. First in 2000 with major industrial customers who consume more than 237 GWh/year. Then in 2003 with smaller customers, consuming more than 80 GWh/year. Finally, in 2004 and 2007, the business market and the individual market respectively opened up to concurrency.

The questions that can be asked are the following: how do you simply change gas suppliers? What are the associated risks? And above all at what price?

Today, on the gas supply market, competition is in full swing in France. Despite this, efforts remain to be made to democratize these new offers.

The proportion of market offers is 80% for sites on the transport network. That is, generally large industrial enterprises. The remaining 20% represent industrial customers who have subscribed to a market offer from a historical supplier such asEDF or Engie. The regulated gas tariff no longer exists for this category of customer.

While she is from 36% for individuals. More than 60% of SME customers are affected.

We can therefore see that the principles of changing suppliers concern all types of customers. Especially tertiary and industrial companies, eager to reduce the price per kWh of gas on their bills.

How can I simply change gas suppliers?

A simple approach

First of all, you should know that the procedures are quick to take, because your only contact person is your new supplier. Indeed, the latter will contact the network manager (GrDF or GRTgaz) to request the management of your contract. He will thus request the termination of your previous contract. It is a simple and fast process.

All you have to do is contact the new supplier chosen and ask them to take out a new contract. In advance, it is necessary to know the customer's needs in terms of gas use and consumption. A change of supplier is also an opportunity to take stock of the situation and possibly modify your contract.

The choice of the new contract is based on several criteria:

• The price of gas
• The quality of customer service
• The services offered by the supplier

There are various uses of gas for industrial processes or heating. The subscription of capacities to GrDF can also be modified according to the processes used. Changing gas suppliers is an opportunity to review its various parameters.

Large gas consumption sites are called subscription sites. For that, The companies concerned must indicate their maximum daily consumption levels to the network operator. This is done by The subscription of a capacity.

This can be similar to the subscription of electrical power, an essential element of an electricity supply contract. However, these two markets are very different. Indeed, these are two energies with very different physical properties. For example, gas can be stored on a large scale, unlike electricity. In addition, most of the gas consumed in France is imported and requires special organization (gas pipelines or methane carriers).

It is precisely this organization that allows suppliers to offer natural gas offers at fixed or variable prices with complete peace of mind.

The role of energy broker is in particular to enlighten businesses on these issues.

A free and fast process

It should also be noted that this approach is entirely gratis. It is possible that your former supplier will charge you for a consumer catch up at the end of your contract in the case of an individual customer or business.

However, the service of changing suppliers is in itself free of charge.

Focus on the duration of contracts for professionals and communities

However, it is important to distinguish individuals from professionals on this point. In fact, in order to be able to subscribe to a gas offer with confidence, it is necessary to take into account the end date of the contract for professional customers. Customers involved in this type of contract must wait until their contract expires before being able to take out a new one, at the risk of incurring early cancellation penalties.

What are the risks of changing gas suppliers?

No risk of a gas outage

Often a change of supplier makes some customers fear gas cuts. As we said, the distribution network as well as the transport network are managed by the network operators. GRTgaz, TEREGA and GrDF cover the majority of the French gas network.

So you have to follow the supplier change service. The suppliers and the network operator will exchange information, but under no circumstances is the gas supply stopped. The continuity of the service is ensured at all times by the gas network operators.

Depending on the responsiveness of the various customer services, the procedure can take up to a few days. However, it should be remembered that this is a service that is generally fast and well known to contract managers.

No contractual risks

This process is free, it also does not involve any contractual risks. It is entirely possible for a customer to opt for an alternative supplier. Then at the end of this contract to return to the historical supplier.

Of course, in the case of a professional customer, it will be necessary to respect the end dates of the contract as explained above.

Conclusion

A change of gas supplier means:

• Totally free
• A quick and simple process
• No risk of cuts
• No contractual risk

The new supplier takes care of all contract change procedures. The approach is therefore simplified in order to encourage customers to put gas suppliers in competition.

It is an opportunity to reduce gas bills. This approach thus makes it possible to implement a strategy for managing your company's energy quickly and at no cost.

Do not hesitate to find out about the different types of offers from your specialized energy broker SirEnergies. There is surely a more interesting offer for you with one of the 22 gas suppliers in France. You now know that this approach is risk-free!

To go further, read our article on 5 preconceived ideas about changing energy suppliers.

Did you know that?

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