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Both the French government and the private sector have been forced to find ways to adapt as gas and electricity prices have risen steadily for months, threatening several sectors with shutdowns in a bid to reduce costs – including swimming pools, gymnasiums and ski resorts.
As autumn approaches, Europe’s energy crisis is affecting several sectors in France. Soaring prices for gas and electricity are drastically increasing the operating costs of both public and private facilities.
Energy prices in France and across Europe hit all-time records in late August. And it looks like the crisis is not over yet: France’s year-ahead electricity prices spiked 25% to €1,130 per megawatt-hour, according to the European Energy Exchange, marking the first time the price of French electricity topped €1,000.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the country to reduce energy consumption in the coming weeks and months by at least 10 percent, warning that otherwise the nation could be facing rationing and cuts this winter.
“The answer is up to us,” he said on September 5, urging French people to use less air conditioning and heat to avoid power shortages. As Macron warns that obligatory energy cuts could be introduced if voluntary efforts aren’t sufficient, several sectors have already taken action.
Public swimming pools, ice rinks closed
Energy-intensive sectors such as swimming pools and ice rinks are being hit hard by rising gas prices. Operating company Vert Marine decided to close some 30 public swimming pools that it manages – in Montauban, Versailles and Limoges – on September 5.
About 10% of the 4,000 public swimming pools in France are managed through a public service rather than directly by the community where they are located. Vert Marine told AFP that it was “temporarily” closing a third of the 90 establishments it manages and has placed “staff on partial…
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Source : france24
