France introduces grid tariff reform for energy storage systems
Starting in August 2026, energy storage projects in France will be able to benefit from new grid tariffs designed to encourage them to support the power system during specific times of the day. The reform was approved in October by the French energy regulator, Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE), as part of the TURPE 7 framework.
“Injection–Withdrawal” Tariffs – Rewarding Flexibility
The new tariff model will allow energy storage operators to opt for the so-called “injection–withdrawal” tariff, under which grid fees are linked to the actual behavior of the installation. In practice, this means that storage facilities will be rewarded for charging or discharging at times when the grid needs it most.
For the purposes of the reform, the country has been divided into roughly 3,000 network zones, classified as:
- “Withdrawal zones” (soutirage) – where batteries will be rewarded for discharging during winter peak hours (8:00–12:00 and 17:00–21:00);
- “Solar injection zones” – where the incentive will be charging at midday during summer solar surpluses.
As Alexandre Cleret, COO of Decade Energy, noted, the reform introduces “a clear, localized price signal that links storage behavior to its actual value for the energy system.”
Three Voltage Levels and Thousands of Zones
The new tariffs will apply to installations connected to the grid at the following voltage levels:
- HTA – medium voltage (~20 kV),
- HTB 1 – sub-transmission (63/90 kV),
- HTB 2 – regional transmission (150/225 kV).
Across these voltage tiers, regulators have designated 396 injection zones and 1,588 extraction zones for HTB, as well as 320 injection and 1,121 extraction zones for HTA.
Roughly one-third of the areas are not covered by variable tariff schemes.
Potential Benefits for Investors
According to analyses by Clean Horizon and Aurora Energy Research, optimizing storage operation within the new time windows could reduce grid fees by up to 40%, potentially boosting internal rates of return (IRR) by 1–2 percentage points.