France will limit the rise in gas prices for the coming months, Prime Minister Castex has announced. The price of gas in France is still rising by more than 12 percent today, after which the price will remain the same until the rates fall again. That will probably happen in March or April, when the demand for gas falls again.
“We are putting up a tariff shield,” Castex said on French television. “We are going to protect ourselves against these price increases.” The prime minister promised to support gas suppliers where necessary.
The price of electricity is also limited. It may only increase again in February, by a maximum of 4 percent.
Further measures
Two weeks ago, the French government announced that it would transfer 100 euros once to the 5.8 million French households that receive energy coupons, which help pay their energy bills. Castex says the government does not rule out further measures.
The price of gas has risen sharply in recent months, partly due to a decline in gas stocks, the closure of coal and nuclear power plants, the reduced supplies of gas from Russia and the increased demand for gas from Asia.
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