France launches energy savings push to avoid winter power cuts

 The French government on Thursday launched a package of measures aimed at cutting the country's energy consumption by 10 percent in the hope of getting through the winter without power cuts.

Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told a crowd – which included several cabinet ministers, business leaders and other officials – that the target was "only the first step" towards an objective of cutting energy use by 40 percent by 2050.

"Urgent action is needed," she said, calling for "a general mobilisation" in favour of restraint in energy use which should lead to a 10-percent reduction in energy use within two years compared to its 2019 level.

"Our fight does not end with the winter of 2022-2023," she added.