If Enedis, the electricity network manager, derives significant benefits from the installation of Linky meters, users struggle to see the concrete advantages promised by this technology.
The deployment of Linky meters was a national project. With 34 million units installed and a final cost of 4.6 billion euros – or 880 million euros less than expected – the project seems to have been well managed financially. But who really benefits from this success? According to a report published at the end of 2024 by the Court of Auditors, it is above all Enedis which emerges as the winner.
Thanks to a financial mechanism called “tariff deferral”, validated by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Enedis was able to amortize its investment by relying on the savings generated by Linky. These savings mainly come from the possibility of carrying out remote operations – such as readings or commissioning – without physical intervention by technicians. This allowed the company to reduce its operational costs and even eliminate around 2,500 local technician jobs.
However, since 2021, it is consumers who have been asked to contribute to financing this tariff deferral via a tax included in their electricity bill (the Turpe), for a total amount of 785 million euros. A situation denounced in 2018 by the Court of Auditors and which continues to arouse criticism today.
Limited benefits for individuals
For users, the Linky meter should be synonymous with savings and better energy management. Enedis promised an “intelligent analysis” of consumption allowing households to identify their spending items and thus adopt more economical behaviors. In reality, the technology is limited to providing detailed data on electricity consumption in half-hour increments. While this information is useful for better understanding your energy uses, it is not enough on its own to significantly reduce bills.
The Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) emphasizes that energy efficiency relies above all on the motivation and support of householdstwo aspects on which Linky has had no notable impact. Furthermore, the promise to put an end to regularization bills thanks to invoicing based on actual consumption has not been kept. The majority of French households still opt for monthly direct debits.
Finally, one of the key arguments of the project was to encourage the opening of the electricity market to competition and to allow suppliers to offer offers adapted to the specific needs of consumers. But here again, the results are disappointing: apart from the traditional peak/off-peak hours options, few innovations have seen the light of day. The majority of consumers continue to favor stable and predictable offers, especially since the surge in electricity prices observed in 2022.
A symbolic victory for the opponents
Despite these limits, Linky has been imposed on a large majority of French households. Recalcitrants are now charged around 11 euros every two months if they still refuse its installation or do not transmit their consumption statements. However, some opponents have won their case. On January 4, a resident of the Loire obtained an appeal to have his Linky meter uninstalled in the name of the precautionary principle. The court recognized that the latter suffered from symptoms (wheezing, chronic fatigue, headaches) which appeared after the installation of the device.
If this decision remains isolated, it illustrates the persistent concerns around the possible health impacts of the connected meter. The Court of Auditors, however, considers that these fears are now lifted: according to reports updated in 2023 by Anses (National Health Security Agency), the level of exposure to electromagnetic waves generated by Linky is low and does not present any danger. proven.
- Linky especially benefits Enedis
- Promises of savings and pricing innovation have not been kept
- Despite some symbolic victories for its opponents, Linky has established itself in almost all French homes
