To Shield Households And Companies From Soaring Energy Costs Europe Has Spent 800 Billion Euros

 

Reuters: Europe's spend on energy crisis nears 800 billion euros 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European countries' bill to shield households and companies from soaring energy costs has climbed to nearly 800 billion euros, researchers said on Monday, urging countries to be more targeted in their spending to tackle the energy crisis. 

European Union countries have now earmarked or allocated 681 billion euros in energy crisis spending, while Britain allocated 103 billion euros and Norway 8.1 billon euros since September 2021, according to the analysis by think-tank Bruegel. 

The 792-billion-euro total compares with 706 billion euros in Bruegel's last assessment in November, as countries continue through winter to face the fallout from Russia cutting off most of its gas deliveries to Europe in 2022.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: And this price tag continues to grow. 

 To Shield Households And Companies From Soaring Energy Costs Europe Has Spent 800 Billion Euros  

Europe’s spending on energy crisis nears €800 billion: study -- EurActiv  

Europe has Spent almost 800 Billion Euros to Fight the Energy Crisis -- Novinite  

Europe Has Spent 792 Billion To Shield Citizens From Energy Crisis -- OilPrice.com  

Europe has spent more than $800 billion shielding citizens from the energy crisis -- Quartz  

Energy crisis: Europe’s spend to shield consumers nears €800 billion. Where is the money going? -- Euronews

Europe Experiencing A Historic Winter Warm Spell

Washington Post: Thousands of records shattered in historic winter warm spell in Europe 

As 2022 turned to 2023, an exceptionally strong wintertime heat dome pounced on much of Europe, producing unprecedented warmth for January. 

As temperatures soared 18 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 Celsius) above normal from France to western Russia, thousands of records were broken between Saturday and Monday — many by large margins. 

The extreme warm spell followed a record-warm year in many parts of Europe and provided yet another example of how human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extraordinary weather events.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is a Godsend to those who were worried about a very cold winter and not enough energy supplies to keep everyone warm.

Russia Prepared To Resume Gas Supplies To Europe Via The Yamal-Europe Gas Pipeline

CNN: Russia ready to resume gas supply to Europe via Yamal-Europe gas pipeline 

Russia is prepared to resume gas supplies to Europe via the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline, which was previously stopped for political reasons, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Russian state news agency TASS on Sunday. 

“The European market remains relevant, as the gas shortage persists, and we have every opportunity to resume supplies. For example, the Yamal-Europe pipeline, which was stopped for political reasons, remains unused,” Novak said. There is an increase in demand for gas from Europe, Novak said, according to TASS. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia Willing To Resume Gas Supplies To Europe Via Yamal Pipeline (OilPrice.com)  

Update #2: Russia is prepared to resume some gas flows to Europe via pipeline, deputy prime minister says (Market Insider)  

WNU Editor: I have trouble seeing Europe in the current environment agreeing to this Russian offer. Interestingly, Europe is having no problems buying Russian oil through Ukraine, even as the transit costs rise .... Ukraine to hike transit fees for Russian oil to EU – Transneft (RT).

Coal Is Making A Huge Comeback In Germany (And Much Of Europe)

Bloomberg: Germany Revives Coal as Energy Security Trumps Climate Goals 

Germany is set to boost its reliance on coal as it battles an unprecedented energy crisis — even at the expense of its ambitious climate goals. 

Europe’s largest economy is burning the fossil fuel for electricity at the fastest pace in at least six years, data compiled by Bloomberg show. It’s also poised to be one of the few nations to increase coal imports next year.

On Thursday, utility Uniper SE said it would extend commercial operations of two of its coal-fired plants in Germany until March 2024 at the latest, in an effort to conserve natural gas in the coming winters. 

Across the globe, highly polluting — and relatively cheap — coal is making a comeback as countries seek to prevent soaring energy costs from triggering an economic meltdown. In Europe, the crisis is acute, after Russia curbed gas supplies in the fallout of its war in Ukraine. Germany is now trying to balance the short-term priority of bolstering energy security with the longer-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.

Read more .... 

Update: Energy crisis fuels coal comeback in Germany (Euronews/Reuters) 

WNU Editor: On the one hand we hear German officials praising German efforts to cut gas production .... Germany Has Dramatically Slashed Its Dependence On Russian Gas (OilPrice.com), on the other hand we hear the opposite from other officials .... German regulator: gas consumption up, savings target missed (Reuters). But in this discussion is the uncomfortable truth that coal is making a comeback, and it is making a mockery of Germany's vaunted green energy efforts. 

One more note. According to German media reports Germany is consuming almost 1% of its natural gas stockpile per-day. That means by the end of March Germany will be out of natural gas, and when it comes to future supplies the country be completely dependent for LNG and what they can get from Norway.

Russia Threatens To Slash Gas Exports To Moldova Over Ukraine Theft

Gazprom said it could start reducing gas supplies to Moldova via Ukraine from November 28 [File: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters]  

Zero Hedge: Russia Threatens To Slash Gas Exports Over Ukraine Theft Of Moldova Supplies 

Russia’s energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday accused Ukraine of stealing natural gas supplies intended for Moldova by siphoning it off during transit. Gazprom is now threatening to halt deliveries via the key the Sudzha route.  

"The volume of gas supplied by Gazprom to the ‘Sudzha’ gas measuring station (GMS) for transit to Moldova via Ukraine exceeds the physical volume transmitted at the border of Ukraine with Moldova," Gazprom’s statement said. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: Russia's Gazprom could reduce gas supplies to Moldova via Ukraine from Nov. 28 (Reuters)  

Update #2: Russia's Gazprom Threatens to Cut Gas Supplies to Europe via Ukraine (AP)  

WNU Editor: Ukraine is denying these claims .... Ukraine denies withholding Russian gas meant for Moldova (Al Jazeera).

Ukraine Halts Russian Oil Shipments To Eastern Europe Via Through The Southern Druzhba Pipeline

Euronews: Oil flows on Druzhba pipeline suspended in parts of Eastern Europe  

BUDAPEST/PRAGUE – Oil supply to parts of Eastern and Central Europe via a section of the Druzhba pipeline has been temporarily suspended, according to oil pipeline operators in Hungary and Slovakia. 

The extent of the disruption was not immediately clear, and came concurrent with an explosion in a village in eastern Poland near the Ukrainian border that raised alarm among NATO countries. 

Hungary’s MOL said its Ukrainian partner told the company that a Russian rocket hit a power station close to the Belarus border that provides electricity for a pump station, and this led to the stoppage. Slovakia’s Transpetrol confirmed the suspension as well, citing “technical reasons on the Ukrainian side” but did not specify a rocket strike.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This suspension of oil is raising the alarm in Hungary .... Hungary PM Orban convenes defence council meeting (Reuters). No oil suspension yet for Poland .... Oil flowing normally to Poland via Druzhba pipeline, says operator (Reuters), and the Czech Republic .... Czechs have not observed disruption in oil flow via Druzhba pipeline (Reuters).  

Update: Slovenia is now getting no oil .... Oil flows to Slovakia via Druzhba stopped, operator says (Reuters). 

Ukraine Halts Russian Oil Shipments To Eastern Europe Via Through The Southern Druzhba Pipeline  

Ukraine halts Russian oil deliveries to Hungary -- RT  

Oil flows on Druzhba pipeline suspended in parts of Eastern Europe -- Reuters

Russia notified by Ukraine of oil supply suspension to Hungary via Druzhba -RIA -- Reuters

EU Leaders Accuse US Natural Gas Producers Of Profiteering On The Energy Crisis

OilPrice.com: EU Leaders Accuse U.S. Natural Gas Producers Of Profiteering 

* European leaders are unhappy with natural gas prices. 

* Some leaders are insisting that the EU impose a price cap on all natural gas imports, regardless of origin. 

* U.S. LNG has been more expensive than pipeline gas coming from Russia in real terms. 

Last month, France’s president Emmanuel Macron accused the United States of a “double standard” because of the difference between the price at which liquefied natural gas produced in the U.S. sells in Europe and the price at which natural gas sells within the U.S. 

“The North American economy is making choices for the sake of attractiveness, which I respect, but they create a double standard,” Macron said, also adding that “they allow state aid going to up to 80% on some sectors while it’s banned here -- you get a double standard.”  

Read more ....  

Update: US and EU argue over claims of gasoline disaster profiteering (Businesslend).  

WNU Editor: EU talk of imposing a price cap on all natural gas imports, regardless of origin, in a market of global shortages, will only mean one thing. No one is going to sell natural gas to the EU if they can sell natural gas at a better price somewhere else. 

Update #2: The Chinese are saying the same thing .... Beijing: US caused Ukraine conflict, profiteering from EU gas crisis (Al Mayadeen).

Europe's Energy Nightmare Is Only Beginning

 

CNBC: Oil CEOs warn this winter’s energy crisis will be nothing compared to the next 

* For this winter, Europe’s gas storage is more than 90% full, according to the International Energy Agency, providing some assurance against a major shortage. 

* But a large proportion of that is made up of Russian gas imported in previous months, which likely won’t be available at all by winter of 2023. 

* This could lead to significant social unrest — already, small to medium-sized protests have cropped up around Europe. 

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Politicians and governments around the world are bracing for potential civil unrest as many countries grapple with mounting energy costs and rising inflation. 

The global economy is facing an onslaught from multiple sides — a war in Europe, and shortages of oil, gas and food, and high inflation, each of which has worsened the next.

Concerns are centered on the coming winter, especially for Europe. Cold weather, combined with an oil and gas shortage stemming from Western sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, threatens to upend lives and businesses.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The above Bloomberg video summarizes what I have been saying for the past 3 months. Europe's decision to cut-off Russian natural gas after filling its reserves means higher energy prices this winter. 

But next year, with no access to Russian gas, will mean a rush to obtain energy supplies on the global market. This means only one thing. Even higher prices next winter, and the very real possibility of shortages.

France Electrical Power Outlook Worsens Ahead Of Winter

Steam rises from cooling towers of the Electricite de France (EDF) nuclear power plant in Belleville-sur-Loire, France October 12, 2021. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier  

Zero Hedge: French Nuclear Reactor Power Outlook Worsens Ahead Of Winter, Electricity Prices Erupt 

France's nuclear troubles are mounting due primarily to routine maintenance of the country's 56 aging reactors. 

A new update from French electric utility company Electricite de France SA, commonly known as EDF, said an outlook for nuclear power generation was slashed ahead of winter, causing chaos in energy markets. 

EDF is the world's largest owner of nuclear plants. It reported Friday that its fleet of nuclear reactors is expected to produce between 275 and 285 terawatt-hours of energy this year, down from the range of 280 and 300 terawatt-hours.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is too little and too late .... French government aims to cut red tape for new nuclear reactors (Reuters).

U.S. LNG Cannot Replace The Russian Natural Gas That Europe Has Lost

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker in the Sea of Japan near Nakhodka, Russia. Vladimir Serebryanskiy/Dreamstime  

OilPrice.com: U.S. LNG Cannot Replace The Russian Natural Gas That Europe Has Lost 

* Europe has relied on U.S. LNG imports to offset the loss of Russian gas, with nearly 70% of U.S. LNG exports heading to Europe in September. 

* In the long term, Europe will have to find other sources of natural gas as its inventories are likely to drain over the upcoming winter. 

* Ultimately, Europe will have to reduce demand for natural gas going forward as there is very little available supply left. 

Europe cannot rely solely on imports of U.S. LNG to offset the pipeline gas supply it will have lost from Russia when it starts rebuilding inventories after the end of this winter, according to BloombergNEF. 

So far this year, American LNG has been crucial in meeting demand in Europe, which is scrambling for gas supply and willing to pay up for spot deliveries, outbidding most of Asia.

The United States is shipping record volumes of LNG to Europe to help EU allies and nearly 70% of all American LNG exports were headed to Europe in September, according to Refinitiv Eikon data cited by Reuters.  

Read more ....  

Update: Europe Can’t Rely on US Gas to Plug Growing Shortfall Next Year (Bloomberg)  

WNU Editor: I am sure the EU is going to be able to get the natural gas that it needs this winter. But it is not going to be cheap, nor reliable. And the bigger problem will be next year, since Russian gas will no longer be available to fill up their reserves unless purchased through middle-men like Turkey or China at exoborant prices. 

And that is the crux of the problem. 

Europe's industrial base is dependent on having access to cheap natural gas. No more now.

Europe Now Facing A Natural Gas Glut As Prices Fall To Summer Levels

CNN: Europe now has so much natural gas that prices just dipped below zero  

London CNN Business — Europe has more natural gas than it knows what to do with. So much, in fact, that spot prices briefly went negative earlier this week. 

For months, officials have warned of an energy crisis this winter as Russia — once the region’s biggest supplier of natural gas — slashed supplies in retaliation for sanctions Europe imposed over its invasion of Ukraine. 

Now, EU gas storage facilities are close to full, tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) are lining up at ports, unable to unload their cargoes, and prices are tumbling. 

The price of benchmark European natural gas futures has dropped 20% since last Thursday, and by more than 70% since hitting a record high in late August. On Monday, Dutch gas spot prices for delivery within an hour — which reflect real time European market conditions — dipped below €0, according to data from the Intercontinental Exchange.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Natural-Gas Prices Have Plunged. Why It Might Not Last. (Barrons)  

Update #2: Energy crisis: Europe's gas prices fall below €100 MWh for the first time since mid-June (Euronews)  

WNU Editor: No one expects this to last. Prices are still double from last year, and a cold winter is going to boost these prices to record highs. I say enjoy the break in prices, and hope that this is going to be a warm winter.

France Now Facing It's Worst Energy Crisis Since The 1970s

France is falling behind in its plans to return the country’s nuclear reactors to full power this winter after a rash of outages https://t.co/3Xi7CZPmeJ

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 23, 2022

Mish Talk: 26 of France’s 56 Nuclear Reactors are Offline for Pipe Corrosion or Maintenance 

Gear up for a cold Winter in France. 

The protests have started already. Pipe corrosion, maintenance, and labor unrest have nearly half of French nuclear reactors offline. 

The result is France's Worst Energy Crisis Since the 1970s.  

Twenty-six of France’s 56 nuclear reactors are offline for maintenance or because of corrosion on piping that cools the reactor cores. Fixing the corrosion is taking longer than expected at several reactors, delaying their restart by as much as six weeks, according to regulatory filings and a French nuclear executive familiar with the matter. Labor unrest is another obstacle. 

Strikes at 18 reactors owned by EDF SA, France’s state-controlled power giant, have delayed their restart by several weeks, threatening the government’s plans to have all of them back online by the end of the winter. EDF and union leaders said they reached an agreement Friday on salary increases, ending the strikes.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: These nuclear reactor problems were predicted .... France’s nuclear energy strategy — once its pride and joy — faces big problems this winter (CNBC).

French President Macron Wonders Why U.S. Natural Gas Is 4x More Expensive In France Than In The U.S.

🛢️🇫🇷🇺🇸Macron -about the US is profiting from the sale of gas to Europe

Macron: "Their energy prices are much lower domestically, since they are producers. They pay 3-4 times less than we do. It's not fair! These are double standards!" pic.twitter.com/ynm6P1hdNC

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) October 21, 2022

WNU Editor: Wait till Frecnh President Macron finds out that if we are faced with a cold winter, paying 3-4 times more may be seen as a great deal, and that is if you can get natural gas.

Britain Told To Prepare For Three-Hour Blackouts 'From 4pm To 7pm' This Winter (Update)

 

Daily Mail: Britons are told to prepare for three-hour blackouts 'from 4pm to 7pm' this winter: National Grid boss warns households to prepare for rolling power-cuts in January and February if UK fails to secure enough gas from Europe under 'worst case' scenario 

* National Grid chief executive John Pettigrew said British households could face three-hour rolling blackouts 

* The measures may be introduced on cold days in January and February between 4-7pm, Pettigrew said 

* It would come in the 'worst case' scenario that Britain fails to secure enough gas and electricity from Europe 

* Britons have already begun stocking up on winter items and tools to keep warm, industry heads have claimed 

* National Grid meanwhile was accused of 'rank hypocrisy' last week after images emerged of their offices 'lit up like Blackpool Illuminations' after dark

Households across Britain could face three-hour rolling blackouts in January and February if gas stocks run low, the head of the National Grid has claimed. 

Chief executive John Pettigrew said the firm may need to introduce rolling power cuts in January and February, specifying the blackouts would occur on 'really, really cold days' during the week should Britain fail to secure enough gas supplies from Europe. 

Speaking at the Financial Times's Energy Transition Summit, Pettigrew warned that Britain's gas-fired power stations, which generate a large portion of the nation's power, are facing a considerable scarcity of fuel.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is all conditional on the UK and other EU countries getting supplies of natural gas from other sources. But where will they get the gas? That is a question that no one is answering. 

Britain Told To Prepare For Three-Hour Blackouts 'From 4pm To 7pm' This Winter (Update) 

Blackouts may be imposed on cold weekday evenings, National Grid chief warns -- SKY News 

UK Blackout: Officials Discuss Power-Cut Planning With Data Center Operators -- Bloomberg  

UK stocks up on generators, gloves, and flashlights to prepare for winter blackouts -- Washington Examiner  

Energy boss reveals when UK is most likely to be plunged into darkness -- Metro  

Brits told to prepare for blackouts on ‘really cold’ evenings -- RT

Gazprom CEO Says The EU Will Survive Through The Winter But Will Run Out Of Gas By March

RT: Gazprom CEO makes grim predictions for EU  

The region will struggle to survive through the winter and may run out of gas by March, Aleksey Miller claims  

Entire cities in Europe could freeze over during the cold peak of winter, CEO of Russian energy major Gazprom, Aleksey Miller warned, speaking at Russian Energy Week on Wednesday. 

According to his estimates, Europe may lack about 800 million cubic meters of gas per day which represents a third of the EU's total consumption. In the worst case scenario set out by Miller, gas storage facilities in the region will only be 5% full by March.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Alexey Miller: Level of European UGS reserves may drop to 5% by March (News.am)  

Update #2: Gazprom's Miller says Germany's gas storage only enough for 2-2.5 months (Reuters)  

Update #3: Gazprom CEO Says Europe Could Freeze Even With Full Gas Storage (Bloomberg)  

WNU Editor: The Gazprom CEO is saying the same thing that I said last month. Everyone has enough stockpiles to last a normal winter, but it is the spring of 2023 and beyond that we should be more concerned about when it comes to critical energy supplies and shortages.

Germany Declines Putin's Offer To Send Natural Gas To Europe Via Through One Undamaged Nord Stream 2 Pipeline And Through Turkey

 

BBC: Gas taps can be still turned on to EU, says Vladimir Putin 

President Vladimir Putin has said the gas taps can be still turned on for Russian supplies to the EU, despite sharp political disagreements. 

Russia has not delivered gas to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 line since August, and Nord Stream 2 was halted after Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The February invasion led to gas price hikes, and EU customers face record tariffs this winter. But Germany quickly rejected Mr Putin's offer to send gas via Nord Stream 2. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The German government has refused Putin's offer .... Putin offers Europe gas through Nord Stream 2, Germany declines (DW). More here .... Germany flatly rejects Putin’s offer to renew energy exports: ‘Nice try’ (FOX News). But Germany has signaled that they will accept Russian natural gas through Nord Stream 1, even though the pipeline has been knocked-out .... Russia could deliver gas via Nord Stream 1, but not Nord Stream 2 - Germany (Reuters). I will admit that this German position makes no sense to me. 

Putin is also "hinting" on who he believes was responsible for attacking the Nord Stream pipelines .... Putin hints at culprits behind Nord Stream sabotage (RT). 

Germany Declines Putin's Offer To Send Natural Gas To Europe Via Through One Undamaged Nord Stream 2 Pipeline And Through Turkey  

Russia ready to use Nord Stream 2 string for gas supplies to Europe — Putin -- TASS  

Putin says Russia could increase gas supplies to Europe -- AP  

Putin Says 'Ball In EU Court' On Restarting Nord Stream Deliveries -- AFP  

Putin moots gas hub in Turkey with Nord Stream supplies -- Reuters  

Kremlin Weighs Boosting Turkish Gas Links to Replace Nord Stream -- Bloomberg  

Russia’s Putin says all infrastructure at risk after Nord Stream hit -- Bloomberg  

Putin: Terror Attacks Against Nord Stream Seek to Undermine Energy Security of Continent -- Sputnik

Major Russia-Germany Oil Pipeline Partially Shut After Leak Discovered In Poland

 

CNBC: Leak detected on another Russian pipeline connecting to Europe, but Poland says it looks accidental 

* Polish pipeline operator PERN said Wednesday that a leak detected on one of its Druzhba pipelines bringing oil from Russia to Europe was likely caused by an accident. 

* Mateusz Berger, Poland’s top official in charge of energy infrastructure, told Reuters via telephone that there were no grounds to believe the leak was caused by sabotage. 

* The Druzhba pipeline leak comes just over two weeks after a series of blasts on two subsea gas pipelines connecting Russia to Germany triggered what might be the single largest release of methane in history. 

Polish pipeline operator PERN said Wednesday that a leak detected on one of its Druzhba pipelines bringing oil from Russia to Europe was likely caused by an accident. 

The leak was detected on Tuesday evening on one of the two lines of the Western section of the pipeline, PERN said in a statement. 

The incident occurred roughly 70 kilometers (about 43 miles) from the central Polish city of Plock.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Much of Europe will be imposing a ban on Russian oil imports at the end of this year. This is just a taste of what is coming. 

Major Russia-Germany Oil Pipeline Partially Shut After Leak Discovered In Poland  

Leak detected in pipeline that brings Russian oil to Germany -- AP  

Druzhba pipeline leak reduces Russian oil flows to Germany -- Reuters  

Oil pipeline to Germany partly shut after leak found in Poland -- The Guardian  

Leak Halts Russian Oil Flow To Germany, Officials Say Sabotage Not Suspected -- OilPrice.com 

Leak detected in Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Germany -- SKY News 

Leak detected in Russia pipeline that supplies Europe with oil -- Euronews  

Major Russia-Germany Oil Pipeline Partially Shut After Leak -- Zero Hedge  

Critical pipeline brining oil from Russia to Germany springs leak -- FOX News

Dutch Government Closes Europe's Largest Natural Gas Reserve Despite Energy Crisis

 

Euractiv: We won’t continue to use Groningen gas field, says Rutte 

The Netherlands will not continue to exploit the Groningen gas field because of the resulting earthquakes that impact those living in the area, Prime Minister Mark Rutte told journalists in Prague on Thursday. 

Groningen is one of the world’s largest gas fields and has been described as “the only potential game-changer in Europe” to replace the increasingly disrupted gas supply from Russia. 

The giant Dutch gas field once produced more than 40 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas yearly – equivalent to 10% of the EU’s consumption – but its production has now been capped due to earthquakes, EURACTIV reported.  

Read more ....  

Update: Dutch limit Groningen gas production despite energy crisis (Reuters)  

WNU editor: The Groningen gas field is massive. At its peak it was producing 40 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas yearly. This compares with Nord Stream 1 that use to send 55 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas yearly. 

 So why did the Dutch government shut down the field? It is all about earthquakes (link here).

France Launches Energy Savings Drive To Avoid Winter Power Cuts

 

Reuters: France launches energy savings push to avoid winter power cuts 

PARIS (Reuters) - France launched a national energy savings plan on Thursday, banking on a push to turn off lights and lower thermostats to avoid power and gas cuts over the winter. 

Although the country is less dependent on Russian gas than eastern neighbours like Germany, French nuclear power production has slumped as the sector struggles to bring more of its aging reactors online out of forced maintenance. 

The government has set a target of cutting France's energy consumption 10% by 2024 from 2019 levels, a first step in a longer-term plan to become carbon neutral by reducing energy use 40% by 2050.

"Our joint action will allow us to avoid taking more binding measures," Energy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said as she presented the plan.  

Read more .... 

France Launches Energy Savings Drive To Avoid Winter Power Cuts  

France unveils plans for avoiding winter power cuts due to Ukraine war -- France 24  

France fights winter shortages with new energy-saving drive -- AP  

France launches "sobriety" energy savings drive to avoid winter power cuts -- Euronews  

Turtlenecks & Energy Sobriety: France Unveils Massive Energy Reduction Plan -- Forbes

U.K. Could Be Facing Daily Three-Hour Black-Outs Due To Energy Crisis

 

FOX News: UK warns of three-hour winter blackouts if gas demand falls short 

Britain braces for potential energy blackouts this winter amid supply disruptions due to the war in Ukraine 

The U.K. national power operator has warned that citizens should brace for up to three-hour power blackouts this winter in the "unlikely" event that gas supplies fall short. 

The National Grid's Electricity System Operator (ESO) announced Thursday that it has taken steps to establish precautionary measures to ensure gas supplies from October 31 to March 31, 2023. 

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that overall, this is likely to be a challenging winter for energy supply throughout Europe," the national operator said in a statement that highlighted multiple scenarios where Brits could find their power shut off during peak use.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Let us hope it will be a warm winter. 

U.K. Could Be Facing Daily Three-Hour Black-Outs Due To Energy Crisis  

Energy crisis: Plan for three-hour power blackouts to prioritise heating in event of gas shortages - as EU agrees to cut electricity use -- SKY News  

Homes could face three-hour power cuts this winter, warns National Grid -- The Guardian  

UK faces prospect of blackouts this winter, senior Tory MP claims -- Yahoo News  

How would three-hour power cuts work if enacted in Great Britain? -- The Guardian