Electricity entered everyday life in France around 1879 with Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb. Initially, electricity distribution was organized by local entrepreneurs, often with small coal-fired or hydraulic plants, serving limited areas. Communes granted concessions to producers for infrastructure, establishing a system where local authorities still own the distribution networks today. Early networks were fragmented, with different technical standards, notably in Paris, leading to technological 'hell' that took decades to unify.

From the 1910s, long-distance electricity transport became possible, transforming the industry. This led to larger production plants and a rationalization movement, forming regional and then national groups. By the interwar period, major companies controlled two-thirds of the electricity supply, standardizing techniques and connecting their networks. A national interconnection network developed, particularly in the Massif Central, significantly aided by railway electrification. The first national dispatching center was created in the 1930s to manage the balance between production and consumption.

Following World War II, France faced severe energy shortages. In 1946, the strategic energy sectors, including electricity, were nationalized, leading to the creation of Électricité de France (EDF). This decision, driven by both pre-war proposals and post-war reconstruction needs, aimed to address the 'trusts' that had controlled electricity. Marcel Paul, a Communist minister from the electricity sector, ensured that distribution was included in the nationalization, viewing it as crucial for public service.

EDF unified technical standards, adopting 220,000 V for long-distance transport and 20,000 V for medium-voltage distribution. It also had to merge teams from over 1,300 different companies, fostering a new 'EDF culture.' A common service for EDF and Gaz de France was established in 1951 to distribute energy, with a decentralized, departmental organization. The 1960s marked the end of electrification across France. The 1963 'blue meter' initiative symbolized French modernization, increasing household power capacity to accommodate new electric appliances, doubling electricity consumption every decade.

In the 1970s, France embarked on a massive nuclear power program, accelerated by the 1973 oil crisis. This era also saw a commercial shift within EDF, moving from 'subscribers' to 'customers,' emphasizing service and customer satisfaction. By the 1980s, customers became 'electrodependent consumers,' with improved service quality through continuous line monitoring and repairs without power cuts. Nuclear power became the dominant source, accounting for 75% of electricity by the early 1990s.

The late 1990s brought profound changes, including devastating storms that highlighted the vulnerability of the network and led to the creation of emergency response forces. Simultaneously, European Union directives pushed for the liberalization of energy markets and the breaking up of monopolies like EDF. This resulted in the opening of competition for large companies in 1999 and the general public in 2007. In 2008, EDF's activities were separated, with ERDF (now Enedis) managing the distribution network. The future involves 'smart grids' and intelligent meters like Linky, to manage decentralized production, electric vehicles, and balance supply and demand in real-time, engaging consumers more actively in energy management.