France will show solidarity with Germany by supplying it, if necessary, with gas this winter, and “Germany is committed to solidarity over electricity with France”, said French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday 5 September, following a videoconference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Agreements will be finalised between the two countries to formalise this “Franco-German solidarity within the framework of European solidarity”, he added, referring to the political agreement of the Energy Council at the end of July (see EUROPE 13000/1).
The French President also unveiled the broad outline of a national sobriety plan aimed at achieving energy savings of up to 10%. Administrations, businesses and citizens will be called upon to contribute as part of a “general mobilisation”, he said, urging them to limit their air conditioning in hot weather, and their heating this winter to 19°C. He was convinced that voluntary measures will achieve this goal, while preparing people for the fact that coercive measures, even rationing, might be required if necessary.
Macron said that help affecting all citizens, such as the 1.5 euro/litre pump price, will remain in place for a while before being increasingly targeted, while other measures will aim to accelerate the energy transition.
Superprofits. As for the deduction of the superprofits made by certain electricity production operators as a result of the surge in gas prices, the French President advocated “a European contribution”, which would be redistributed to Member States according to criteria still to be defined.
He noted that French companies such as Total were already being asked to contribute to the refinery of petroleum products and prices at the pump, and EDF, which had to increase its participation in markets where prices are guaranteed (ARENH).
However, he warned that “if Europe fails, we will return to national debates”. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)