The precise quantity will “match the one-off revenue forecast for 2022 with the electrical energy market below stress,” the largely state-owned RTE stated in a press release.

It added that the reimbursement might attain a file of greater than 1.5 billion euros ($1.4 billion).

The transfer comes as public strain is rising for an EU-wide tax on the “super-profits” generated by vitality corporations as costs have soared since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Virtually 380 large-scale electrical energy consumers in trade would share round 130 million euros from the pot, RTE finance and buying director Laurent Martel informed AFP.

The businesses embody chemical vegetation, metalworking websites, steelmaking operations in addition to paper and cardboard factories.

However a lot of the payout — round 90 % — will go to operators of native low- and medium-voltage networks, which bridge the hole between RTE and finish customers of electrical energy, from trade to households.

RTE’s revenues have been particularly sturdy this yr due to charges paid to make use of its so-called “interconnectors” throughout nationwide borders.

These rely partly on the distinction in electrical energy costs between France and its neighbours, which soared this yr because of the vitality crunch from the battle in Ukraine and a big chunk of the nation’s nuclear reactor fleet being below upkeep.

RTE stated that with out its plan to convey ahead the reimbursement, the funds would as a substitute be unfold over a number of years.