Deregulation of the retail energy market on 1 July 2007

Paris, 22 June 2007 - Gaz de France has today presented its new commercial policy for retail customers as the energy markets open up fully to competition. The Group is committed to making it even easier for both its current and future customers to choose between maintaining their regulated prices on natural gas, or opting for new market offerings combining gas, electricity and a range of services.

As of 1 July 2007, retail customers will have the option to enjoy a better level of visibility in their energy bills thanks to Gaz de France's guaranteed fixed price offers lasting the duration of a contract. Furthermore, in line with its commitment to sustainable development, the Group will be offering environmentally-friendly services, both promoting energy savings and incorporating renewable energies.

At the press conference held to unveil Gaz de France's new commercial offerings for retail customers, Henri Ducré, the Group's Sales Director, announced that: “Retail customers will now be able to choose both their energy supplier and the service that is best adapted to their needs. Drawing on its experience, Gaz de France is committed to meeting the specific requirements of its current and future customers by offering them a wide range of products and services. Following the Group's success since the opening of the industrial market to professional users in 2000, this last step presents the Group with new commercial growth opportunities.”


New range of services

Gaz de France's new range of services is designed to meet the various requirements of its customers, while maintaining the two priority commitments that the Group has set itself:

• A commitment to transparency and visibility on pricing, with a promise for guaranteed fixed gas and electricity prices for the duration of their contracts;
• A commitment to respect the environment, promoting renewable energy-based power production, which will represent up to 21% of customer consumption.

Guaranteed fixed price packages

The central product in this range is “Horizon”, which provides the budgetary visibility required by customers by guaranteeing them a fixed price throughout their contract for the supply of gas, electricity or both.

Based on “Horizon”, various options will be offered such as the “2 in 1” formula, which, in addition to guaranteed fixed prices throughout the contract, incorporates an option to not pay the subscription charge for electricity. In this way, customers are able to benefit from a single subscription for both gas and electricity.

On all the various packages, the “energy savings” option enables customers to carry out energy-saving work and benefit from a discount on their natural gas supplies.


Energy packages and services tailored to customers' projects

Three energy packages provide a complete response for customers who are carrying out work, relocating or building :

• The DolceVita “moving” package
• The DolceVita “energy savings” package for natural gas renovation and conversion projects
• The DolceVita “construction” package

A fourth package – “More comfort” – has been designed for customers who are not carrying out any specific projects, but would like to benefit from services tailored to their specific requirements.


A range of services adapted to customer needs

All customers are covered by a range of free services that guarantee the Gaz de France DolceVita level of quality in terms of comfort, safety and savings :
 

• Support when connecting up and activating services;
• Technical and pricing advice;
• Easy management (paper-free billing, online accounts);
• Easy payment terms (option on the frequency for payments);
• Advice and support on how to make energy savings (including recommendations on which qualified partners to contact).

Each one of our customers will be able to personalise their level of comfort by adding optional services :

• A home assessment range on energy savings and safety;
• Subsidised financing for energy-efficient facilities;
• An insurance offering.

Today, Gaz de France is the only supplier that has both the critical mass needed to guarantee natural gas supplies at the best price, and a recognised efficient commercial culture. The Group has also earned the trust of its customers over time, founded on a recognised brand, as well as the quality of its client relations, be they technical or commercial. Indeed, Gaz de France has built up a thorough understanding of its customers' requirements based on long-standing partnerships and thanks to its highly trained and motivated customer service teams, effective customer relations and its network of engineers.



Group Profile :

Gaz de France Group is a major energy player in Europe.  As the leading natural gas distributor in Europe, Gaz de France employs close to 50,000 employees and earned 27.6 billion euros in sales in 2006. The Group holds a portfolio of 13.9 million clients, approximately 11.1 million of which are in France. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange in July 2005, Gaz de France entered the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Stoxx 600 as early as September 2005. 


Press Contact:

Jérôme Chambin
Tel. +33 1 47 54 24 35
E-mail. jerome.chambin@gazdefrance.com

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