Luxembourg wants to encourage consumers to keep a closer eye on the clock before using their electricity. Time-of-use network tariffs are under consideration, and dynamic-pricing contracts are set to gain ground. However, when finishing a charging session at a Chargy charging point, the final amount may still take some time to be calculated. Two parliamentary responses published on the same day highlight the two sides of an electricity system in which price is set to play an increasingly important role.

When questioned by the MP Georges Engel (LSAP), the minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles (DP), confirms that work is under way to adjust network tariffs. The aim is to encourage consumers to shift their demand to periods when the infrastructure is under less strain. The work is “well advanced”, but no final decision has yet been taken.

This question is based on the FlexBeAn project (“Flexibility potentials and user Behaviour Analysis”), carried out from 2022 to 2025 by List, Creos and the SnT at the University of Luxembourg. Its findings highlight significant potential for flexibility in energy consumption, particularly through the use of heat pumps, domestic batteries and electric vehicles. Shifting part of the energy consumption associated with these would help reduce peaks in the grid and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources.

Clear pricing

Dynamic pricing is the other key measure. Customers with a smart meter can already sign up for this type of contract, and suppliers with more than 15,000 end customers are required to offer it. From October 2026, financial support will also be available for domestic energy management systems capable of automatically controlling multiple appliances, based in particular on price signals.

But whilst consumers need to pay closer attention to prices, these prices must still be sufficiently clear. This is the other side of the issue, raised by Sven Clement (Piraten). The MP reports that users of Chargy and Enodrive receive their consumption figures in kilowatt-hours after charging, but not necessarily the final price. In some cases brought to his attention, this information was reportedly missing for several weeks of regular use.

In their response, Lex Delles and the minister for Consumer Protection, Martine Hansen (CSV), pointed out that European regulations require consumers to be informed, prior to recharging, of all the components used in calculating the price. However, they do not require the final amount to be disclosed immediately after the recharging session. In the case mentioned by Sven Clement, the government assures us that an estimate is already displayed whilst the vehicle is being charged.

Time limits that may be extended

The final price depends, in particular, on the transmission of the “Charge Detail Record” (CDR), which records the amount of electricity charged, the duration and the time of the charging session. On Chargy, this file is usually transmitted as soon as charging is complete, but going via a roaming platform may delay this.

However, a campaign carried out this year at more than 100 public charging points concluded that “the vast majority” provided pricing information in line with European requirements before charging began. The government therefore sees no need to amend Chargy’s concession contract to require the immediate disclosure of the final price.