Heard on my French podcast this morning that electricity consumption in November in France was 10% down on last year. May be a consequence of milder weather, and certainly some major energy-consuming industries have had to reduce their output, but probably also reflects energy-saving measures the Govt. has asked us to make. Our water heater has been reduced from 65 to 55°C, and we're relying more on our wood-burning fire than usual.
Apart from the loss of Russian gas supply, France also has a problem with the nuclear reactors, about half being shutdown due to cracks in pipes. Not enough welders, so they are shipping them in from the US and Canada, and have even opened a welding school. The prefectures have been told to prepare for electricity rationing, but the Govt. says this is only a precaution.
Cute piggy bank capture. I think it's just about the same everywhere. The big power companies are getting a rate hike here. I've been walking around in the dark at night for years and keep my thermostat on 64 instead of the recommended 68 degrees (20c) in the winter. I just put on more layers of clothes. The elderly on a fixed income will struggle to pay their electric bills. It's not pretty but it could be worse.
Une tres jolie tirelire. Hope you won; t have to suffer from the planned power outages. My mother is prepared with a portable gas heater, not something I wanted for her.
@corinnec La risque de coupures diminue, apparemment. S' se produisent, elles dureront 2 heures max. et on sera prévenu 24h à l'avance. Pour s'être préparée au chauffage, votre mère doit être une dame formidable !
