The benchmark gas sales price will increase by 15.4% from 1 May

The benchmark gas sales price is composed of three parts:

• the supply, which includes the supply costs and associated costs;

• routing, i.e. network and storage tariffs;
• taxes (CTA, VAT and excise duty on natural gas), decided by the State.

As stated by the Energy Regulatory Commission on April 8, 2026, the supply share will evolve to 1^er May 2026. At fault? The rise in gas market prices linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Thus, the benchmark gas sales price will increase on average by 15.4% INCL., which will bring it to 160.54 €/MWh including VAT against 139.12 €/MWh in 1^er April.

The CRE assesses this impact at 6,19 € TTC on average in May. This increase will affect consumers whose offers are indexed to the gas sales benchmark price. Households that have subscribed to a fixed-price offer will not be subject to any rate change during the term of their contract.

The National Energy Ombudsman proposes a independent bid comparator.

What is the benchmark price?

The CRE's monthly natural gas sales benchmark price provides information to consumers in the context of the end of the regulated gas sales tariff (RGST).

It is variable and published for information purposes and represents an average estimate of the costs incurred by suppliers for the supply of natural gas to a residential customer.

For consumers, it serves as a compass to compare offers, giving them an idea of the price at which regulated tariffs would have been maintained. The CRE specifies that suppliers now freely build their offers according to supply conditions (energy costs on the wholesale market) and other costs (routing, storage, remuneration of the supplier).