The leaders of the three French energy companies TotalEnergies, EDF and Engie call together, on Sunday June 26, the French to reduce ” immediately “ their consumption of fuel, oil, electricity and gas in the face of the risk of shortages and soaring prices that threaten “social cohesion” next winter.
“The effort must be immediate, collective and massive. Every gesture counts »indicate in a rare joint forum published by the Sunday newspaper (JDD), Patrick Pouyanné (TotalEnergies), Jean-Bernard Levy (EDF) and Catherine MacGregor (Engie), while France, like the rest of Europe, is trying to build up its gas reserves for next winter, with a target of 100% storage by early autumn, despite the drop in Russian gas deliveries.
In addition to gas supply difficulties linked to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, there are “tension” on controllable electricity production capacities in Europe, and hydraulic production “amputated” because of the drought, they explain. “The soaring energy prices that result from these difficulties threaten our social and political cohesion and have a too heavy impact on the purchasing power of families”, note the authors.
Waste hunting
“The best energy is the one we don’t consume”, emphasize the three leaders who call for “Awareness and collective and individual action so that each of us – each consumer, each company – changes their behavior and immediately limits their consumption of energy, electricity, gas and petroleum products”.
They want the launch of a “major energy efficiency program” and an “national waste hunt”. “Acting this summer will allow us to be better prepared to tackle next winter and in particular to preserve our gas reserves”believe the three leaders.
“Responsible industrial players, our three groups are committed to actively collaborating” indicate the bosses, usually rather in competition on the subjects of energy transition, in particular who see massive but not always coordinated investments flourish in renewable energies, nuclear and hydrogen in particular.