Ancillary services of distribution operators: the CRE opens the next revision

On 24 June 2026, the French Energy Regulatory Commission published its ruling containing a draft decision on the next revision of the ancillary services provided on an exclusive basis by electricity distribution grid operators.

These services cover the operations that only grid operators can carry out: activation, capacity changes, special meter readings, intervention for non-payment or modification of a grid connection.

Their catalogue and pricing are governed by the regulator. They constitute a significant part of the relationship between grid users, their suppliers and the distribution operator.

The periodic revision of this catalogue aims to take account of changes in actual costs, but also of changes in usage: the widespread roll-out of smart meters has made it possible to carry out remotely a growing share of operations that were once performed on site.

For multi-site business customers, the structure of these services has a tangible impact on the cost of managing their metering estate.