Result: during too rare retrospective file checks, companies can be rectified for invalid EECs, which are then canceled. If intentional fraud is proven, the recovery is accompanied by a fine. As the mechanism is controlled by the State, the cancellation is subject to publication in the Official Journal. On November 26, TotalEnergies, Dakia, Hellio Solutions, Sefe Energy and Teksial were fined for a total volume of irregular CEEs equivalent to 6 million euros. But only the Hellio company was fined 2.4 million euros.
Not their fault…
The companies are contesting. Hellio announces that she will take action before the Council of State. Dalkia, a subsidiary of EDF, denies any fraud in the renovation of private homes, as mentioned by the Minister of Energy, Olga Givernet, in an interview published in Le Parisienon November 25, arguing that it only intervenes “with businesses, collective housing and communities”. And that only “0.1% of the CEE volumes processed by Dalkia” on the sample controlled for the years 2021 and 2022, included material errors, in particular equipment, “which led to non-conformities, non- fraudulent”.
For TotalEnergies, which says it is exemplary in encouraging sobriety among its individual customers, the accusation of fraud goes down badly. Like Dalkia, the energy company is contesting the sanction and will lodge an appeal with the Council of State. He argues in particular that he is accused of overestimating the initial consumption of certain global renovation operations, while these are “determined by independent design offices and certified by organizations accredited by the State”, the latter being “guarantor” of EWCs “at each stage of the chain”.
But that of the lack of control by the State
TotalEnergies specifies that the measure, which actually dates from July 2024, cancels 32 global renovation operations representing a volume of 0.4 TWhc, or 2.8 million euros. But that he has not committed fraud, since there is no fine associated with the cancellation. He adds that all the renovations were carried out. This does not prevent it from observing, as indicated in a recent report from the Court of Auditors (which calls for the elimination of the mechanism or, failing that, a profound reform) that it is urgently necessary to strengthen the control mechanisms. . TotalEnergies also calls on other energy suppliers and fuel distributors to “work together to collectively strengthen the effectiveness of the CEE system”. There is urgency, because the latter remains the main arm of energy efficiency policies in France and could be used to finance the transition to electric vehicles. But as the State lacks resources, it is counting on companies to do the cleaning that it does not do…
Source: www.usinenouvelle.com
