French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that he sees no clear evidence of the need for a new gas pipeline between France and Spain, defending a common energy purchase strategy in Europe.
“We need more electrical interconnection. But I am not convinced that we need more gas interconnection, whose consequences, in particular on the environment, and in particular on the ecosystem, are more important. (…) There is no evidence of its need,” Macron defended, during a press conference, after a meeting with the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz.
Macron was “in favor of common gas procurement practices” in Europe, saying countries should buy “cheaper” and trying to limit the price of Russian gas delivered through pipelines.
“We are in favor of common gas purchasing practices (…) This would allow Europe, buying together, to buy cheaper,” said the French president, after a conversation with Scholz about the energy crisis in Europe.
“If the European Commission decides to put a ceiling on the price of gas purchased through gas pipelines from Russia, France will support this measure,” said Macron, who also expressed his support for new price control mechanisms at the European level.
“We defend a European contribution mechanism (…), which would therefore be requested from energy operators,” defended the French leader, at a time when the European Commission is preparing a plan to reform energy prices.
“This contribution can then be returned to the countries to finance their specific national measures,” Macron argued, adding that he also wants “measures to combat speculative practices.”
Despite all these measures, the French president insists that the population must contribute to combating the energy crisis, proposing a strong reduction in energy consumption of 10% in the coming months.
Macron warned that he is preparing energy rationing plans, in the event of cuts in gas distribution in Russia, as Germany and France admit will happen, by Russia’s unilateral decision.
“The best energy is the one we don’t consume,” concluded the French leader, urging families and businesses to save energy, in particular by reducing heating and air conditioning use.
Source: TSF
