Reform affects 11 million households

France’s electricity off-peak hours reform, introduced last year, impacts around 11 million households that have opted into the peak/off-peak electricity pricing model in their contracts. The reform is being rolled out in two stages, affecting different groups of customers at different times.

Two-phase implementation timeline

The first phase of the reform applied to 1.7 million customers from November 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026. The second phase, which began on October 6 of last year, is set to continue until November 30, 2027, covering the remaining 9.3 million households.

Free tool helps track changes

An online tool developed by electricity provider Octopus Energy allows users to identify their new off-peak hours and the exact date when the changes will take effect. This tool is available to anyone, regardless of whether they are a customer of Octopus Energy, and can be accessed using a 14-digit PRM number found on Linky meters or electricity bills, or by entering an address and name if the PRM number is unavailable.

Off-peak hours remain consistent

Currently, off-peak hours are primarily at night, typically between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Under the new reform, users will still have 8 off-peak hours per day, with at least 5 of those guaranteed between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The remaining three off-peak hours will vary by season.

Seasonal adjustments to off-peak times

During the summer months, from April 1 to October 31, users will gain additional off-peak hours in the afternoon. For example, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, off-peak hours will shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to a summer schedule of 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. at night, followed by an afternoon slot from 15 p.m. to 18 p.m. In winter, from November 1 to March 31, off-peak hours can remain grouped at night, as seen in a test by RMC Conso, which showed a shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Some users may still have off-peak hours in the afternoon during winter, depending on their location and the time of year.

Reform aims to use solar energy

The Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) has cited the growth of solar energy as the reason for the reform. Electricity production is higher in the afternoon when the sun is shining, making it more efficient to use electricity during this time. The reform seeks to shift part of the 8 off-peak hours into the day to make better use of this abundant solar energy. However, the benefit of this change for individual users depends on their specific electricity usage patterns, as many homes are unoccupied between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays.