French President Emmanuel Macron said that “France is preparing to deliver more gas to Germany to secure electricity,” adding that “we need to accelerate alternative energy projects in France and in Europe”, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“Germany needs our gas, and we need energy from the rest of Europe, particularly Germany,” Macron said at a press conference following a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He also stated that the necessary connections to supply Germany with gas when needed would be completed in the coming weeks and that France, which has always been a net exporter of electricity, would require assistance from its neighbors due to technical problems with its nuclear plants.
Macron noted that he did not understand the demand for a third gas pipeline between France and Spain, rejecting calls to increase capacity with a new pipeline. He further said that he was willing to change his mind if Schulz or Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez presented convincing arguments.
On Friday, prior to a meeting of EU energy ministers, Macron explained that France prefers to buy gas at the European level instead of only at the national level, and he urged the EU to take action to control energy prices.
He went on to say that the EU needs to take action against energy price speculation and that France supports setting a price ceiling for Russian gas.
Moreover, Macron urged everyone not to use air conditioners at too low a temperature when it’s hot and to keep temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius this winter, adding, “Everyone must do their part.”
