The authorities are studying the possibility of imposing higher summer gas prices for businesses, according to a report released Thursday by Les Echos.
Manufacturers could see their bills increase by at least 7% and the rate freeze announced in early April and would only affect households, the newspaper said.
According to a source familiar with the matter cited by Les Echos, "the government had set a global freeze, but they are now back-pedal to apply only to individuals."
The daily also points out that companies representing almost three-quarters of the French gas market, the challenge is to "several hundred million euros" for GDF Suez.
"Nothing is mediated at this stage and no decision is taken to date," he told Reuters the Ministry of Industry.
GDF Suez has in turn not wish to speak on the subject.
The group called for early May the establishment of a new tariff for gas in France, the rate plan currently in force in fact been suspended with the rate freeze.
The government said in April that an increase of 7.5% should have been mechanically in July to pass on higher oil prices, on which long-term contracts are indexed to GDF Suez.
The latest increase in gas prices had been 5% on 1 April, which brought increased 20% year on year.
An increase in gas tariffs for companies intervene as the government provides a total increase of 4.9% of the electricity tariffs which shall apply from 1 July.
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