“You have to put yourself in the worst-case scenario because it exists”, warns Agnès Pannier-Runacher

The gas supply to France is likely to pose a problem due to the war in Ukraine. “I am extremely vigilant”said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Minister for Energy Transition, in an interview with Figaro (subscribers article)Sunday, July 10. “You have to put yourself in the worst-case scenario, because it exists”she warned. “At any time, Russia can completely interrupt its gas deliveries.”

Bruno Le Maire also issued a warning on Saturday. You have to “prepare for a Russian gas cut”declared the Minister of the Economy as part of the Economic Meetings of Aix-en-Provence. “Today is the most likely option”he said. “We are in a war economy anyway”decided Agnès Pannier-Runacher, considering that this would not involve “not necessarily” of rations.

To avoid shortages, the government has requested the filling of “almost 100%” national gas storage capacities by the beginning of autumn, continued Bruno Le Maire. “We are taking action by diversifying our gas supply sources, increasing our capacities with the floating LNG terminal project in Le Havre, and accelerating storage”said Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

The Minister for Energy Transition mentioned the fact that electricity production was going to be disrupted because of “the shutdown of twelve nuclear reactors affected by unexpected corrosion problems”. “We must therefore maintain the highest standards on the maintenance schedule of the other power plants in the park”she clarified.