TotalEnergies fined for not providing monthly invoices

The Flemish Energy Regulatory Authority (VREG) is fined TotalEnergies €108,785 for failing to provide its customers with monthly digital meter bills. From April 1, major suppliers must give their customers a digital counter the possibility to request such a monthly invoice, exchange the system for advances and the annual final invoice.

Flemish Energy Minister Zohal Demir (N-VA) said last week in response to a question from Flemish MP Ruprecht Bothen (CD&V), that TotalEnergies is the only major supplier in Flanders that does not yet provide a monthly bill. The other four providers offer monthly bills. Once a service provider has more than 200,000 customers, it is considered large. For smaller suppliers, the commitment is currently non-existent.

At a hearing at the end of June, the same energy companies said that “monthly billing for their end customers using a digital meter is not currently possible,” VREG said in its decision. The regulator came to the conclusion that the arguments put forward by the company could not refute the argument of VREG.

As for the fine amount, VREG assumed €1 for each digital meter installed. According to the latest data available to VREG, TotalEnergies had 61,250 access points for electricity and 47,265 access points for natural gas in its portfolio. “The amount appears, in relative terms, to be very low in the context of TotalEnergies’ activities”The regulator adds in the decision. “VREG considers that the administrative fine reflects the seriousness it ascribes to restrictions placed on end customers as a result of non-compliance.”