France risks running out of gas this winter

France risks running out of gas this winter

Published: Less than 40 min ago

full screen A test facility south of Paris, where farmers turn grain and waste into biogas to escape dependence on Russia. Archive image. Photo: Thibault Camus/AP/TT

France’s government is warning that authorities and businesses may have to ration their energy use this winter, even though the country’s own natural gas reserves are full. This since Russia reduced gas deliveries to Europe.

The call applies to both gas and electricity as the two systems are connected, according to Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher.

Although France is less dependent on Russian gas than several other EU countries, industry is still dependent on gas and millions of homes are heated with it. In the event of cold peaks, the country’s own gas reserves are not enough.

More nuclear power plants than usual will also be shut down this winter for maintenance, or due to safety concerns.

– We count on solidarity, mainly from Germany, to import electricity, says Pannier-Runacher to radio RMC.

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