+ RTE publishes information elements concerning TURPE Tariff Reduction for Electricity-Intensive Sites Connected to the High-Voltage Transmission Network.

Customers concerned

• Consumers
• Storage facilities

What is the TURPE tariff reduction?

The French Energy Code (Articles L341-4-2, D341-9 and seq. and D351-1 and seq.) provides for a scheme to reduce the public electricity transmission network usage tariff (TURPE) for the benefit of certain high-consumption sites with a consumption profile that is favourable to the electricity system.

This scheme allows eligible consumers and energy storage facilities to benefit from a reduction in the TURPE tariff, subject to compliance with the eligibility criteria established by the French authorities and the implementation of an Energy Performance Plan, which must be submitted to the competent DREAL for approval.

Which sites are eligible for the tariff reduction?

The categories of eligible sites and the corresponding reduction rates are defined in Article D.341-9 of the French Energy Code.
 

Pursuant to D341-9 of the French Energy Code, these reduction rates apply only where the residual TURPE amount remains sufficient to cover the directly attributable network costs assessed for the relevant site on the network to which it is connected. Where this condition is not met, a site-specific reduction rate shall be applied.

For certain energy storage facilities, the reduction rate may be adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the French Energy Code.

How are the criteria calculated?

The criteria are verified by RTE using the site’s metering data.

The main indicators used include:

• the duration of grid usage;
• the usage rate during off-peak hours;
• the annual grid withdrawal at connection points.

For sites with three full years of historical data, the calculations are based on a three-calendar-year reference period (N-3, N-2 and N-1 for eligibility in year N).

To calculate the annual network utilisation duration,RTE determines the following ratio for each of the three calendar years within the reference period:

To calculate the off-peak utilisation rate, RTE calculates the ratio for each of the three calendar years in the reference period:

For each criterion, RTE will take into account the average of the two best years within the reference period.

In accordance with Article D341-9 of the French Energy Code, the two most favourable years may be used when calculating eligibility criteria. This provision is intended to limit the impact of an atypical year on the assessment of a site.

Specific considerations for newly constructed sites (D341-9 paragraph 5)

Special provisions apply to sites that do not yet have three years’ worth of network energy consumption history.

• Sites operating for less than one year
  The beneficiary may declare its intention to benefit from the scheme no later than 31 December of year N-1.
  Once one complete calendar year of data is available, the relevant criteria are calculated in accordance with the applicable regulations and implemented pursuant to the provisions of the Energy Code.
  Please note that no tariff reduction applies during year N until the actual reduction rate has been calculated in year N+1. Once determined, the reduction is applied retroactively to year N. The same reduction rate is then also applied to year N+1.
• Sites operating between one and three years
  The calculation method is based on the historical data available, namely the two most recent complete years, or where applicable the most recent complete year, in accordance with the regulatory requirements applicable to new sites.

Changes to Peak Hours (PH) and Off-Peak Hours (OPH) from 1^st January 2027

As part of TURPE 7 HTB, which entered into force on 1^st August 2025, the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) decided to revise the allocation of Peak Hours (PH) and Off-Peak Hours (OPH) applicable to users connected to the electricity transmission network.
These new arrangements aim to (i) adapt tariff structures to changes in the energy mix, particularly the growth of photovoltaic generation, (ii) reflect evolving consumption patterns, and (iii) contribute to the optimisation of the French electricity system.

CRE has therefore decided to extend off-peak hours to include daytime periods during certain times of the year for users connected to the transmission network, as of 1^st January 2027:

• The off-peak hours of all customers connected to the electricity transmission system will be seasonally adjusted, with a generalised setting of off-peak hours on summer afternoons.
• Due to the strong expansion of photovoltaic generation in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions, the setting of peak and off-peak hours will differ from the rest of the territory.

For detailed information, see the presentation leaflets of the TURPE in the Library (Billing / Understanding the Tariff).

For the years 2025 and 2026, the eligibility calculations continue to use the Peak Hour and Off-Peak Hour calendars applicable during those respective years. The new calendar shall only be taken into account from 1^st January 2027 onwards.

How to submit an application?

Companies wishing to benefit from the tariff reduction must submit their application by 30 November of the year preceding the year for which the reduction is requested.
The application must be sent:

• to the Regional Prefect through the competent DREAL (or DRIEAT / DEAL, as listed on the Ministry’s website);
• with a copy to RTE at: rte-suivi-abattement-tarifaire@rte-france.com;
• with a copy to the Ministry responsible for Energy at: dgec-abattement-turpe@developpement-durable.gouv.fr.

The application must be submitted with the following subject line: « Demande de réduction tarifaire pour l’année 20XX – Nom de la société et du site ».
No applications received after the regulatory deadline of 30 November may be processed. RTE cannot process applications submitted after the 30 November deadline.

Each application must include a copy of the certificate provided for under Article D.351-7 of the French Energy Code, duly completed and signed (Attestation_abattement_TURPE.pdf), available on the ministry website. The supporting documents listed in this certificate must be submitted exclusively to the competent regional authorities.

Validation of the Energy Performance Plan (PPE) by the competent DREAL authority is mandatory. Should the PPE not be validated, RTE would be required to recover the amount corresponding to any tariff reduction granted without entitlement.

Additional Information

• Ministry website
• Contacts
  • Questions relating to calculations performed by RTE: rte-suivi-abattement-tarifaire@rte-france.com  
  • Questions related to the regulatory framework, calculation methodologies, or application processing procedures: dgec-abattement-turpe@developpement-durable.gouv.fr 
• Information leaflet presenting the scheme (in French)

• Understanding the public transmission system access tariff (TURPE)

Regulatory References

The tariff reduction mechanism is governed in particular by the following provisions of French law:

• procédure de demande de réduction de tarif d’utilisation du réseau public de transport d'électricité;
• article L.341-4-2 of the French Energy Code;
• articles D.341-9 à D.341-12-1 of the French Energy Code;
• articles D.351-1 à D.351-7 of the French Energy Code.