Economy 7 tariff to stop? EDF?

[clockmanFR]

Measures of austerity's?

Here in France just found out last night that EDF have removed the Cruese/Economy 7 tariff, (it was bound to happen) so looks like it will be about 40p per KW/h.

We are charged £35 per month connection fee, then 40% of the bill is local/regional/distribution, dog got bad knee, etc taxes. So you use approx £80 electricity in 2 months, (bills here are 2 monthly) then expect a bill of about £200. We calculate yearly average consumption, that we were paying about 28p per KW/h.

The Mrs and I had a serious discussion this morning and agreed that we would double our PV tracker installations to 6KW and add another 3.7m windturbine, which coincidentally we got permission for one more turbine and 2 1.5kw PV trackers from the Local Mayor on Wednesday last week. Good job i try to stay one step ahead in this mad World.

We had been concerned for some time that the cheap rate electricity would be discontinued, it just makes business sense if you are a financial organization trying to maximise your profits, EDF, doesn't it.?

So do you think the UK will loose its cheap rate electricity?
  

[martin]

if we go nuclear, indubitably - we've got to pay for it and all the brown envelopes somehow!

[A.L.]

Martin! - you are old enough to remember that off-peak leccy was introduced to soak up nuclear (and coal) overnight electricity! 

but I agree that it will eventually disappear as renewable output increases

[clockmanFR]

I recall having this discussion about FIT rates, and if they would last a few months ago.

Then being informed (smack on the hand) by learned folk on this forum, that it was the eclectic suppliers that give the FIT, and not the Government. yeah right.

So why should EDF etc, carry on giving cheap rates?

Originally Electric generation was for the good of the nation, i do not see that as a primary focus any more.
Just large coprate business trying to get what they can when they can, market forces?.

[2807]

Hello clockmanFR

Here in France just found out last night that EDF have removed the Cruese/Economy 7 tariff, (it was bound to happen) so looks like it will be about 40p per KW/h.

Are you sure about this? I live in poitou charentes & have had no notification from EDF, (not that I watch the French news).  Also, the tarrif is still advertised on the EDF website http://tinyurl.com/bvmpwk3

We are charged £35 per month connection fee, then 40% of the bill is local/regional/distribution, dog got bad knee, etc taxes. So you use approx £80 electricity in 2 months, (bills here are 2 monthly) then expect a bill of about £200. We calculate yearly average consumption, that we were paying about 28p per KW/h.

If you dont like the £35 / month subscription, you can always downgrade to a lower kVA.  We manage quite happily on a 9kVA supply so long as we make sure the electric kettle isn't put on at the same time as a hairdryer.

2807

[skyewright]

but I agree that it will eventually disappear as renewable output increases

Our heating is on a tariff called "Total heating Total Control" that I think is unique to Scottish Hydro and to certain areas. Our storage heaters get 4 separate charge periods[1] in each 24 hours. The main immersion for DHW gets 3, different, charge periods (storage & DHW are never on at the same time). We are also allowed a percentage of (hardwired) convection heaters (and other water heating, e.g. electric shower) that can be used at any time. All this is on the THTC tariff. Everything else (lighting, ring mains, etc.,) are on a completely separate meter at a 'normal' domestic tariff.

The reason I mention this is that if I recall the sales spiel (a long time ago) correctly they offer this THTC tariff specifically to allow them to optimise use of their local hydro (i.e. renewable) power generation...


[1] They say "You'll get between five and twelve hours a day from your storage heating. We find out the best times to put it on for you by regularly checking the weather forecast. This means that you'll have heat when you need it most, without having to worry.". They can do that because the THTC meter is a radio receiver and the on-off signals are issued as something like a side band on one of the main national signals (R2 LW?), however in practice the charge periods are so regular right through the year that you could almost set your watch by them...

[clockmanFR]

2807,
It seems the EDF put folk onto a new tariff scheme called Tariff Blue, and in the contract there is the usual stuff about removing crues rates etc if so deemed appropriate. Told this by EDF man on the telephone when we phoned to have a row.

Basically, the new smart meters, we had a new one about 6 years ago, are radio controlled for switching over the tariffs, so guess what if the EDF think that there will be to much load, they just pull the tariff switch, IE you don't get the cheap tariffs. For UK folk, the little wired circuit is closed inside the meter, and this activates your relays on the hot water etc for the period of the cheap tariff.
So if you have a smart meter your doomed and hence we are doomed.

Regards rental charge, we are 3 phase at 10KVA per phase = 45e per month. We have 3 small boys a young family and a largish house, plus my workshops etc and try to be efficient as we can with our electricity.

     

[gb484]

http://bleuciel.edf.com/abonnement-et-contrat/les-prix/les-prix-de-l-electricite/tarif-bleu-47798.html#acc87865

This is the tariff that is being phased out. Interesting though, to see that the b***s in France do the same as here, namely, charge more for all the day time units when you've got economy 7.

http://bleuciel.edf.com/abonnement-et-contrat/les-prix/les-prix-de-l-electricite/tarif-bleu-47798.html#acc52409

This is still available as has been pointed out already.

[Philip R]

Interesting to note that in recent weeks, the UK interconnector to France have been exporting most of the time at 2GW. During the cold spell, 1GW export to Holland also, although lately this latter bit has reverted back to an alternating power flow between the two countries.
Looks like there are underlying issues in mainland Europe,(Germany) making UK wholesale power prices competitive.
EDF is refurbishing ( rewinding) many turbo generators in France on Nuclear plant. Also the Tricastin plant will export to the grid instead of powerring the old heavy electricity consuming enrichment plant.

The E7 tariff be it in the UK or France is useful to maintain a minimum load on the system. The loss of the EDF France tariff indicates a long term Europe supply issue.

From that, I will concur that the UK will extend AGR nuclear life until early next decade! and keep the opted out coal plants in operation well into the future. I also understand that the FGD retrofit route may be re-openned for this to happen.
PhilipR