Europe turns off with energy saving plans across the continent. It does so in a context of sharp rises in the cost of electricity, which were aggravated by the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, last February, the price skyrocketed in the region by the sanctions and counter-sanctions between the European Union (EU) and the Kremlin, which reduced the supply of oil, but especially Russian gas, which until before the war represented more than 40 percent of imports of that fuel in the bloc.
On your side, Gazpromthe Russian energy giant, reduced its exports by 31 percent gas to non-Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, including Europe. Instead, there was a redirection of supply to China and India. On the other hand, in July the gas pipeline flows Nord Streamlinking Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea, fell to just 20 percent.
This fall in the volume of gas threatens to further raise energy prices and increase inflation, a few months after Europe begins to demand more supply due to the beginning of the cold. To avoid a shortage, European countries began to plan to ration supplies of this fuel and also launched various measures to save energy.
spain
Spain, the last country to announce energy saving measures, launched last Monday a plan to moderate air conditioning and heating in shops, cultural buildings and transport stations.
“In these properties, the heating must be maintained in winter at a maximum of 19 degrees and in summer at least 27 degrees centigrade“, announced the head for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, after a council of ministers.
The measures, already implemented since May for public dependencies, include that monuments and shop windows turn off your lights at 22while the automatic closing of doors in air-conditioned spaces will be required and teleworking will be encouraged to “save on travel and thermal consumption of buildings”.
France
Francefor its part, intends to reduce the energy consumed by 10 percent over the next two years compared to 2019. To do this, the president Emmanuel Macron urged to be guided by the “logic of sobriety”: “We must prepare for a scenario where we all live without Russian gas.”
Although the strategy is still under development, the Government urged families and companies to make “small gestures” and disconnect energy devices while they are not in use or turn off the light in empty rooms.
In this direction, the Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, announced that they will seek Prohibit stores from keeping their doors open while using air conditioning or heating. Luminous advertisements and shop windows will also be prohibited in all cities between 1 and 6 o’clock.
Germany
Germany It has not yet presented a great official plan to save energy, although at the end of July a series of recommendations. Among them, public and office buildings will no longer conditioning the temperature in rooms where people do not spend much time on a regular basis, such as large halls and corridors. The Government also recommended to large industries saving plans for the next two years. The law requiring tenants to maintain a minimum temperature in their apartments was also ended.
In this context, some cities have already adopted their own measures, such as reducing urban lighting or limits on the thermostat in public buildings. In Munichfor example, they go to keep saunas closed and hot water in public buildings will be cut off.
Italia
Italy, for its part, did not announce an official plan either. The Government announced that it will not promote “severe” measures. However, the Rome leadership claimed that it was preparing an emergency plan. Among other measures, it also sought to limit the use of air conditioners between 19 and 27 degrees. It was also planned to reduce urban lighting and advance the closing time of shops.
Specifically, there is a proposal to reduce gas consumption by 7 percent before March. For that, the production of coal plants will be boosted. However, against this background, the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development presented a report to the Government in July calling for greater intervention to reduce demand. In any case, it will be a problem for the Government that arises from the elections in September.
Poland
The Polish government expressed itself along the same lines. There the prime minister, Mateusz Morawieckiannounced that the Government would allocate “additional billions” to the clean air program that will subsidize reforms to improve the insulation of private residences and the purchase of less polluting heating systems.
The particular influence of the lack of energy in the country due to the war in Ukraine must be taken into account: Russia supplied 40 percent of the gas consumed by Poland.
In addition, the The problem is aggravated by the shortage of coal, which, according to analysts, could be between one and two million tons this winter. to meet your demand.
Greece
The plan of Greece consists of turning off 10 percent of public lighting during the early hours, limiting the air conditioning to 27 degrees and turn off office computers when not in use.
Czech Republic
Finally, the Government of Czech Republicwhich relies almost entirely on Russian gas, offered free advice on energy-efficient renovations and savings tips.
In addition, it will boost the consumption of coal in an emergency while setting its sights on the supply of natural gas that may come from the Netherlands.