France Introduces New Measures to Cut Power Demand

France Energy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher this week said new measures have been introduced aimed at cutting power demand according to Montel.

• France is in a “much better position” than this time last year but must “continue to reduce energy consumption… to avoid load shedding or power cuts”, she said.
• The measures include a mandatory limit on lighting for commercial premises to one hour before opening time and one hour after closing, subsidies for installation of thermostats and the promotion of working from home.
• French power and gas demand was down around 12% year on year after adjusting for weather differences with households urged to limit heating to 19C amid EU energy supply concerns.
• New legislation for energy policy for the next 10 years is due by year end as the government carbon neutrality targets aim to cut energy consumption by 10% compared with 2019 levels by the end of 2024 and by 40% by 2050.