So far, gas has flowed towards France via the only connection point between Germany and France. After a conversion, it now works in the opposite direction. In return, our neighbors receive electricity from Germany.
France started supplying natural gas to Germany during the energy crisis. Since the morning, gas has been flowing through the only connection point between the two countries near Niedergailbach in Saarland, the network operator GRTGaz announced in Paris. "In a novel energy situation related to the war in Ukraine, France is in solidarity with its German neighbor by supplying gas directly to it."
Initially, 31 gigawatt hours flow across the border every day; according to GRTGaz, the maximum capacity is 100 gigawatt hours per day. For this purpose, a pipeline is used through which gas previously flowed in the opposite direction, including from Russia. First adjustments had to be made. The network operator explained that these were made in view of the sharp decline in Russian gas supplies to Europe and as part of European solidarity for energy security.
In return, France, whose nuclear power plants are weak at the moment, is to receive electricity from Germany in order to get through the critical winter months. French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed in early September to supply each other with energy for the coming winter. Because of maintenance, only 30 of the 56 French nuclear power plants are currently in operation, as Macron said. In the next few weeks, 40 power plants are expected to be back online and, according to Macron, 46 in January. However, recent strikes by power plant workers could thwart these plans.
