Starting December 1, 2026, Enedis will gradually adjust off-peak hours for 9,3 million residential and business customers. The main change: the periods when electricity is cheaper will now vary between summer and winter. The goal is to align consumption with periods of high electricity production, particularly solar, without changing the daily number of off-peak hours.
A new phase is beginning in the reform of electricity tariffs. On Monday, November 9, Enedis confirmed the launch of the second phase of changes to off-peak hours, which will affect 9,3 million customers until October 2027. The system, initiated in November 2025, had already led to a reorganization of schedules for 1,7 million consumers. In total, nearly 11 million customers will see their off-peak hours change. This transformation concerns households and businesses that have subscribed to a peak/off-peak hours plan with their electricity supplier.
The principle remains unchanged: each subscriber will retain eight off-peak hours per day, during which the price per kilowatt-hour is lower than during peak hours. However, their distribution will now be adapted to the seasons. In winter, from November 1st to March 31st, off-peak hours will be primarily concentrated at night, with at least five consecutive hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. They will no longer be available between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., nor between 23 p.m. and 17 p.m. In summer, from April 1st to October 31st, up to three off-peak hours may be offered between 21 a.m. and 17 p.m., in order to take advantage of the abundance of solar production.
Automatic changes for consumers
This new arrangement responds to the evolution of the French electricity system. Historically, off-peak hours were designed to encourage nighttime consumption, when demand was lower and nuclear power plants continued to operate. However, the development of photovoltaic panels is gradually altering this balance. During the sunny months, a significant amount of electricity is now produced during the day, particularly in the afternoon. Enedis therefore aims to encourage consumers to use their electrical appliances during these periods. The grid operator estimates that this new phase will shift approximately 5 gigawatts of consumption to summer afternoons, thus helping to better balance the grid.
For affected subscribers, no special action will be required. The new off-peak hours will be programmed automatically and remotely using Linky smart meters, and each supplier must notify its customers at least one month before they take effect. Consumers will be able to view their time slots on their bill or in their online account. Water heaters equipped with a control device connected to the meter will also be able to adapt automatically. However, users may need to reprogram certain appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, or electric vehicle charging stations, to continue benefiting from the reduced rates. This reform does not guarantee an automatic decrease in bills: savings will depend on households' ability to shift their consumption to the new off-peak hours.
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