ARENH (regulated access to historic nuclear electricity) ended on 1 January 2026. It has been replaced by the Universal Nuclear Payment (VNU), which redistributes part of EDF's nuclear revenue only when market prices are high. In practice, an electricity offer no longer contains a regulated-price share: your price level depends on the market and on the structure of the offer you choose.
What was ARENH and why did it end?
ARENH was a scheme that allowed alternative suppliers to buy a share of EDF's nuclear output at a regulated price and pass that benefit on in their offers. It ended on 1 January 2026. An offer whose supply covers 2026 onwards therefore no longer includes a regulated-price share, and your price follows market conditions more closely than before.
How does the VNU work?
The VNU is a redistribution mechanism: when market prices exceed thresholds set by the public authorities, part of EDF's nuclear revenue is returned to consumers. It is therefore no longer access to a regulated price, but protection against high prices. The thresholds and terms may change: check the texts in force before basing a decision on them.
| Mechanism | ARENH (until 2025) | VNU (since 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Access to a share of EDF's nuclear output at a regulated price | Redistribution of part of nuclear revenue |
| Effect on the price | Regulated share in offers | Protection against high prices only |
| Condition | Independent of market price levels | Only if prices exceed thresholds set by the public authorities |
What is the concrete impact on your bill?
The price of the supply share of your bill now depends on the market and on your offer's structure, no longer on a regulated share. The VNU is not a guaranteed price: it only applies if prices cross the thresholds set. Two elements therefore remain in your hands: the price structure you choose (fixed, indexed, or built in tranches) and the moment you lock it in.
How to adapt your purchasing strategy?
Choose the price structure closest to your ability to absorb a variation: a fixed price to know your budget, an indexed price to follow the market, or a combination of both. You can also spread your purchases over several steps rather than fixing everything on a single date, which avoids depending on one market day. At Eneffic, we offer fixed-price, indexed and no-commitment offers, and our team helps you choose the structure that fits your consumption profile.
Key takeaways
ARENH ended on 1 January 2026
Contracts covering 2026 onwards no longer include a regulated-price share.
The VNU only applies when prices are high
It is not a regulated price: it is protection against sharp rises.
The offer structure becomes decisive
Fixed price, indexed price, purchasing in several steps: the choice depends on your risk tolerance.
