France says power cut risk in winter seems to be dying out

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The risk of power cuts in winter in France seems to be disappearing, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Our supply indicators are rather positive," Olivier Veran told a news conference after a Cabinet meeting.

The power cut risk is being eliminated particularly thanks to the progressive relaunch of nuclear reactors and the warm weather, he added.

“This is more of a relieving development but should not ward us off from our target that is energy sobriety,” he warned.

Veran also hailed the contribution of the measures taken by the government as well as the French consumers.

The Russia-Ukraine war, weather conditions and infrastructure issues have provoked energy insecurity in Europe, and in France in particular.

French consumers have been urged to take precautions to reduce electricity and gas consumption, while businesses faced skyrocketing energy bills, constantly threatened by the risk of idling activity.

Veran also commented on China's COVID-19 policy change and Europe's reaction to it.

"The resurge of the epidemic in China is a source of concern for Europe," the spokesman said and added: "None of the countries wants an epidemic outbreak on its territory after all the efforts and sacrifices made in the past three years."

Veran said negative test results will be required from Jan. 5 for passengers coming from China.

Passengers coming from Beijing or Hong Kong are also tested randomly upon their arrival in France.

The spokesman said a third of random tests done on Tuesday on asymptomatic passengers from China were positive.