France unveiled a sweeping plan to trim heating and power use in everything from public administrations and residential buildings, to shopping malls, stadiums and spas in a bid to avoid energy shortages this winter, reports Bloomberg.
In a 50-page document released Thursday, the government presented dozens of measures, pledges and incentives to cut energy use by 10% over two years.
The target, announced in June, is a part of France’s response to the energy crunch triggered by dwindling Russian gas deliveries to Europe, and Electricité de France SA’s issues with nuclear reactor maintenance and repairs.
“It’s a question of accelerating small investments in energy efficiency and having a few simple mechanisms to collectively reduce what we normally consume by 10%,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech in Paris Thursday. “If the entire nation meets this objective, if we all mobilize get there, we get through winter in the worst scenario.”
According to the government, the most efficient measure of the plan, which aims to avoid rationing and to preserve economic growth that’s already undermined by soaring energy costs, is to limit heating in most public buildings and corporate offices to 19 degrees Celsius during work hours.
Temperatures will reduced further at night or in case the power-grid operator signals risks of power shortages.