An energy police officer is launching an investigation against an electricity supplier suspected of abuse

Beware of excessive margins: The Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE) has launched proceedings against an alternative electricity supplier – which it did not name – for suspected resale at high prices. “A procedure has been started for misuse of the arena [accès régulé à l’électricité nucléaire historique] »That is, the mechanism by which suppliers buy cheap nuclear electricity from EDF, CRE explained on Friday 9 September, confirming the information Parisian.

The investigation targets Ohm Energie, which was founded in 2018 and claims 250,000 customers, according to the newspaper. Contacted by Agence France-Presse, the source said “I have not received any notification from CRE about the initiation of proceedings against him”.

The independent authority, chaired by former minister Emmanuel Wargon, suspects that the operator bought nuclear power from Arena and resold it on the markets at a higher price. The facts are disputed by Ohm Energie, which claims to have “Never sell a kilowatt hour of arena in the markets”According to its president, François Joubert, a former EDF engineer.

“wear a hat”

Its prices after the increase remain lower or equivalent than its competitors and (…) It’s going to keep them going all winter without additional growth.further supported the company. “We are trying to place the blame [fournisseurs] alternatives, while the government has an obligation of neutrality. (…) The responsibility for the crisis is not among the alternatives, but in the catastrophic unavailability of nuclear energy.”– said Mr. Joubert to AFP.

A CRE investigation may result in a referral to the Dispute Resolution and Sanctions Committee (Cordis), which may decide on any sanctions. At the end of August, CRE announced that it is strengthening market surveillance and calling on suppliers “behave responsibly”Against the backdrop of rising wholesale prices.