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Understanding the power subscribed to to optimize your electricity bill
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February 13, 2026
6
Min reading
From overpriced subscriptions to penalties for exceeding power, the mismatch between power and electricity consumption can indeed weigh heavily on the bill.
Discover our tips for saving on your electricity contracts by choosing the right power for your business. The first step? Analyze your consumption to assess your needs as accurately as possible.
What is the subscribed power in electricity?
The subscribed power is Power that the electric meter can draw from the network to cover the simultaneous consumption of electricity at a given moment T. It is expressed in kVA (kilovolt ampere).
What power can the company subscribe to?
Individuals and professionals can subscribe for a power of between 3 and 36 kVA. For businesses, the subscribed power may exceed 250 kVA.
The subscribed power is selected at the time of signing the electricity contract. Its value affects the amount of the delivery rate (TURPE — Tariff for the Use of Public Electricity Networks), and therefore on the subscription price. Having a power in line with your actual electricity consumption optimizes the bill and avoids unnecessary costs.
What is the difference between a subscribed power and a connection power?
The subscribed power should not be confused with the connection power. The latter represents the maximum power that the customer can draw from the electrical network, depending on the size of his installation.
Si the subscribed power may be less than the connection power, she can never be better than him. If his electrical needs prove to be higher than his connection power, the customer can request a resizing of his installation, which can be carried out on estimate.
How is the subscribed power determined?
The power subscribed depends on the professional activity, the size of the premises and the number, type and size of electrical equipment.
To calculate the power you need for your business, you need to assess your average power consumption at the time of peak consumption, when the most energy-consuming devices and machines are operating simultaneously.
Instant consumption is visible on the Linky meter. If the size of your business allows it, you can also Add up the wattage of your electrical appliances, possibly including heating.
This addition makes it possible to know their simultaneous consumption and to estimate the electrical power required in kVA. 1,000 watts is equal to approximately 1 kVA.
The adaptation of the subscribed power must be checked regularly, and possibly revised up or down, if activities and equipment change.
Do you want to calculate the most suitable subscribed power for your business?
SirEnergies analyzes for you your load curve and your past and future consumption for optimizing as close as possible to your electricity contract and reduce your bill.
What are the consequences of an electrical power purchased that is too low or too high?
The power purchased affects the amount of the electricity bill. A bad estimate can unnecessarily overestimate your energy budget.
The subscribed power is too low
Underestimating the power purchased can lead to consequences on the supply of electricity. For individuals, professionals and businesses with a power less than or equal to 36 kVA, a power overrun makes Switch off the meter and cut off the electric current.
Above 36 kVA, the electric meter is not restricted. If the power requested is greater than the maximum power subscribed, the meter continues to draw electricity from the network so as not to interrupt the company's activity.
An unexpected power outage could in fact cause an accident on a production line or have serious financial consequences.
Exceeding power However, it is expensive. For sites classified in category C4 (ex-yellow rates), the penalty is charged around ten euros per hour exceeded.
For sites classified C1 and C2 (i.e. connected to HTA), the calculation of penalties depends on the duration of the overtaking, the power reached and the season. You should contact your electricity supplier for more details.
Did you know that?
To avoid power surges, SirEnergies monitors your consumption and alerts you to anticipate drifts and optimize your electricity bill.
I want to add my delivery point
The subscribed power is too high
Overrated underwritten power Unnecessarily increases the price of your electricity bill.
For businesses with a power less than or equal to 36 kVA, the power subscribed affects the cost of the monthly subscription. This varies according to the electricity suppliers, but it always includes a fixed part of TURPE that depends on the power subscribed. So, the higher the power purchased, the more expensive the electricity subscription price is.
Businesses: how to choose the power subscribed to and optimize your electricity bill?
Evaluating your electricity consumption, comparing offers from energy suppliers and possibly changing the subscribed power: these are the three steps to properly choose your electricity contract and save money on your bill.
Evaluate electrical power needs
Analyze consumption data for at least one year is the essential preliminary step in choosing the subscribed power that is most suited to the consumption needs of your company.
To make your information reliable, you can ask Enedis to send you free of charge the history of your monthly consumption for one or more connection points, as well as that of the powers reached and the power exceeded.
For an accurate estimate of needs, it is important tointegrate future changes into the calculations, such as the purchase of potential new electrical equipment or the expansion of your premises.
For more details, you can perform load measurements. Individual sensors installed on electrical devices will allow you to better know the consumption in real time of each one and to identify the most energy-consuming devices.
This approach can be part of the setting up a Energy Management System (SME). Investing in energy management solutions and control systems optimizes your consumption, makes the subscribed power reliable and reduces your energy costs.
Compare offers from electricity suppliers
To save money on your electricity bill, you need to compare the offers of electricity suppliers, and including the cost of the subscription according to the power purchased. Suppliers offer customizable offers according to the consumption profile, the seasonality of consumption, Off-hold/Super Off-peak options, etc.
Type of electric meters - Source: SirEnergies
For businesses, the calculations are complex. Other elements come into play such as:
- The horo-seasonal division, i.e. the intersection between the season (summer or winter) and the hours of use (peak period, peak hours, off-peak hours). Seasonal businesses can thus opt for different powers depending on the time of the year in order to optimize their electricity bill.
- La delivery rate formula (FTA), with the choice of the version of use of the TURPE (short use — CU, medium use — MU or long use — LU).
Change the subscribed electricity power
After all these analyses, is the conclusion final? Is changing the subscribed power the best solution to optimize your company's electricity bill?
This change can be made at any time during the life of the electricity contract. The request must be made to your energy supplier. It then transmits it to the network manager (Enedis or Entreprise Locale de Distribution — ELD) who makes the modification.
At Enedis, the price of the service is fixed at 71,17€ EXCL. VAT for companies classified C2 to C5. The amount is fixed regardless of the methods of the intervention (remotely via the Linky meter or with intervention on site, with or without changing the HVA or LV current transformers, with or without modifying the coupling).
The change is taken into account in a maximum period of 30 calendar days from the time of the request.
For companies that have subscribed to a power of less than 36 kVA, the cost of intervention varies from €0 to €143.09 excluding VAT. This price applies to the most complex interventions with transition from single-phase to three-phase.
Before changing the purchased power, make sure you have completed all price comparisons. It is in fact sometimes more advantageous to pay a few annual penalties related to electrical power overruns than to subscribe to higher power.
Optimizing the power purchased requires expert analyses. SirEnergies accompanies you to guarantee the best pricing solution adapted to your business.
After analyzing your consumption profile, our experts help you visualize, optimize and modify the subscribed power to avoid financial penalties and reduce your electricity bill.
Did you know that?
The optimization of these network rates represents an opportunity to reducing your electricity bill and prevents you from paying unnecessary financial penalties.
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The answers to your questions
How to optimize the taxes and contributions of a community?
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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).
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
The answers to your questions
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