French govt recommends 5.5 pct natgas price hike

PARIS, April 8 (Reuters) - The French government has asked the Energy Regulation Commission's (CRE) opinion on an average increase in the natural gas tariff of 0.264 euros per KWh, Gaz de France GAZ.PA said on Tuesday.

This would represent an average tariff increase of 5.5 percent for customers using natural gas for heating, the company said in a statement.

The new tariff would apply only once the CRE has given its opinion. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Braden Reddall)