Dossier ENGIE
PDL number: everything you need to know about the delivery point and how to find it
Has your electricity supplier asked you for your PDL or PRM, and you’re not sure what to answer? ENGIE explains everything you need to know about this unique 14-digit identification number, essential when moving into a new home in France.
After months of searching for the perfect home for your family, you’re finally about to move in. One of your first steps will be setting up your energy supply. Whether you choose gas, electricity, or both, you will be asked for a specific number to connect your home to the local network. Let’s take a closer look at the PDL, the number that makes it possible to bring electricity into your home.
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What is the PDL/PRM number?
The Point De Livraison (PDL), or Delivery Point, is a unique 14-digit identifier. It corresponds to the location of your electrical installation and is therefore linked to a property, not to a customer or a contract.
Because this number is tied to a specific home, it changes each time you move to a new address.
PDL and PRM: different names depending on your meter
The term PDL is used for non-communicating electricity meters. If your home is equipped with a Linky meter, the equivalent term is Point Référence Mesure (PRM).
What is the PDL/PRM number used for?
The PDL (Delivery Point) or PRM (Metering Reference Point) allows your supplier to pinpoint the exact location of your electrical installation and identify the meter associated with your home, in order to supply electricity.
It is therefore more precise than a postal address, which is especially useful if you live in a shared building, such as an apartment block.
For this reason, your energy supplier will ask for your PDL or PRM when you subscribe to a new electricity contract.
It is essential for your supplier to:
create a contract in your name
activate electricity supply in your home
bill the consumption recorded by your meter
Where can you find your PDL or PRM number?
Whatever your situation (changing supplier, moving into an existing or brand-new property), there are several ways to find your PDL/PRM number.
You already have a contract: how to find your PDL/PRM
If you currently have a contract with another supplier and wish to switch to ENGIE, you should first locate your PDL or PRM. You can find it on your electricity bills. All energy suppliers in France systematically include the PDL/PRM number on their invoices. For example, ENGIE displays it on page 3 of your bill under “Your energy contract with ENGIE.”
You can also find your PDL or PRM in your online customer account or by contacting your current supplier’s customer service. Finally, your PDL may also appear directly on your Linky meter display: press the “+” button 5 to 6 times until “PRM number” is shown.
Moving into a new home: who should you ask for the PDL/PRM?
Are you moving into a new home? Before contacting an electricity supplier to activate your meter, you need to obtain the PDL/PRM linked to your property. You can request it from:
the real estate agency that sold or rented you the property
the property owner (if you are renting)
You can also ask for a previous electricity bill from the former occupant to find the identification number. If you cannot locate the information, contact your chosen electricity supplier. By providing details about the previous occupant, they can retrieve the corresponding PDL/PRM.
PDL/PRM number for a new-build property
If you are moving into a newly built home, the situation is slightly different: the number does not yet exist. It is created by Enedis, the network operator, once your property is connected to the electricity grid.
In practice, when Enedis begins the connection process, you can request your PDL/PRM. For example, you can ask the technician installing your Linky meter and connecting your home to the grid. Once the process is complete, your PDL/PRM number will be assigned.
You will then need to subscribe to an electricity contract to activate your meter.
Note
The PDL/PRM number is also indicated on the CONSUEL certificate (certificate of compliance for electrical installations in France).
Meter number vs PDL/PRM number: what’s the difference?
Be careful not to confuse the PDL/PRM number with your meter number. The meter number is specific to the device itself, engraved on it, and changes whenever the meter is replaced. It is used for technical monitoring and maintenance.
The PDL/PRM, on the other hand, is linked to your property and remains the same regardless of meter changes. For example, switching from a traditional meter to a Linky meter does not change your PDL, only the terminology (PRM instead of PDL).
What should you do if you provided the wrong PDL/PRM?
If you provided the wrong PDL/PRM when moving into a new home, you may experience issues such as no electricity supply or being billed for another household’s consumption.
It is therefore important to contact your supplier’s customer service as soon as possible so they can correct the information.
However, such situations are rare. Energy suppliers typically double-check details by asking for your address, floor number, and the name of the previous occupant.
Can’t find your PDL/PRM number: what should you do?
If you cannot find it on your bills (or if you don’t have any yet), contact Enedis, the electricity network operator in France. They will guide you through the process.
If you are moving into a property that has previously been occupied, Enedis can retrieve your PDL/PRM using information about former occupants (name, address, or meter identification number).
What about the PCE number?
The PDL number applies only to electricity. If your home is connected to natural gas, your gas supplier will ask for the “PCE” (Point de Comptage et d’Estimation). Also composed of 14 digits, the PCE is the equivalent identification number for your gas meter.
Both PDL and PCE serve the same purpose: they allow energy suppliers to indicate to Enedis (for electricity) or GRDF (for gas) the exact delivery point.
PDL and PRM numbers: key takeaways
The PDL, also known as PRM with a Linky meter, is a unique 14-digit identifier linked to your home. It allows your supplier to locate your property precisely and supply electricity according to your contract.
This number is required when moving into a new home or subscribing to a new electricity contract. The real estate agency, landlord, or previous occupant can provide it.
It is also required when switching electricity suppliers. You can find your PDL on your latest electricity bills, in your customer account, or directly on your Linky meter display.
As a last resort, you can contact Enedis, which can retrieve it using your meter number or details of previous occupants.
FAQ about the PDL number
What is the PDL?
PDL stands for Point de Livraison (Delivery Point). It is the unique 14-digit identifier of your electrical installation, essential for subscribing to a contract or activating electricity.
What is the difference between PDL and PRM?
There is no functional difference. PDL is used for older meters, while PRM (Point Référence Mesure) refers to the same delivery point for a Linky meter. The 14-digit identifier remains the same. In practice, “PDL” is still widely used in everyday language.
What is the PDL used for?
It allows your electricity supplier (such as ENGIE) to precisely locate your meter on the network managed by Enedis, ensuring that your contract and consumption are correctly assigned to your home.
Where can I find the PDL on my meter?
Without a Linky meter, you can find it on your electricity bills or in your online customer account. With Linky, it is also displayed on the screen by pressing the “+” button several times until the relevant information appears.
How many digits does the PDL/PRM have?
The PDL (or PRM for Linky) always contains 14 digits.
Where is the PDL on an ENGIE electricity bill?
The PDL (or PRM) is always shown on your ENGIE electricity bills, usually under “Your energy contract with ENGIE” or “Contract information.”
How can I find my PDL without a bill or meter access?
You can ask the previous occupant, the landlord, or the real estate agency. If that’s not enough, contact ENGIE and provide the full address and, if possible, the previous occupant’s name. Your supplier can retrieve it from Enedis.
Is the PDL linked to the address and can it change?
Yes, the PDL is linked to the connection address and remains fixed. It never changes, even if you switch supplier or replace your meter (for example with Linky).
PDL vs meter serial number: what’s the difference?
The PDL (14 digits) identifies your home’s connection point to the network. The meter serial number (6 to 8 digits) identifies the physical meter and changes if it is replaced. Only the PDL is required to subscribe to a contract.
PDL vs PCE (gas): how to distinguish them and where to find them?
The PCE (Point de Comptage et d’Estimation) is the 14-digit equivalent of the PDL for natural gas. You can find the PCE on your gas bills and the PDL on your electricity bills.
What should I do if the PDL provided does not match my home?
Contact your supplier immediately to report the error. If you are being billed for another property’s consumption, your contract will be corrected and any incorrect charges cancelled.
How can I obtain the PDL for a new property (not yet supplied)?
The PDL is created by Enedis after the meter is installed and the connection is completed. You will then find it on the CONSUEL certificate. This number is required for the first activation.
Can I subscribe with ENGIE without knowing my PDL?
Yes, although it is preferable to have it. If you only have the address and possibly the previous occupant’s name, ENGIE can contact Enedis to retrieve and validate the PDL for you.
Who should I contact to obtain or verify the PDL?
You should first contact the previous occupant or the landlord/property owner. If this is not possible, your energy supplier can request it from Enedis on your behalf.
I have several meters (cellar, garage, etc.): how do I identify the correct PDL?
The easiest way is to identify the PDL corresponding to your actual consumption. You can also switch off the main circuit breaker in your home and check which meter stops recording consumption.
