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As Russia’s war in Ukraine deepens the energy crisis in Europe, the mayor of Paris announced on Tuesday that the Eiffel Tower’s lights would be turned off more than an hour early at night to save electricity.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the iconic tower is just one of the city’s monuments and city hall, and it will be dark early in the evening. Because the French capital, like the rest of France and Europe, faces the risk of power shortages, rationing and blackouts. Energy demand will skyrocket this winter.
Russia has cut natural gas supplies to several European countries, sending gas and electricity prices skyrocketing to help Ukraine. It accelerated inflation and raised concerns that supplies would shrink as the heating season approached, forcing countries to enact conservation measures and relief measures for consumers and businesses. of European companies have cut or halted production due to high energy prices, while the European Union is about to pass proposals to ease the crisis.
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Ornamental lights typically illuminate the Eiffel Tower until 1am, with a dazzling white light every hour.Darkness after 11:45 PM Other city-run landmarks, such as the Tower of Saint-Jacques and the City Hall, turn off at 10:00 PM
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The measures are part of the mayor’s “Energy Conservation” plan, which takes effect September 23rd.
Mayor Hidalgo said the plan aims to reduce the city’s energy use by 10% to cushion the blow of an estimated €10 million increase in costs.
Shrinking Eiffel Tower lighting reduces power consumption by 4%.
“It’s a symbolic but important step,” Hidalgo said, dismissing criticism that Paris authorities could do more to cut energy consumption by 10 percent.
Street lights will remain lit throughout Paris for safety reasons, and even the ornate bridges over the Seine will remain illuminated at night, Hidalgo told reporters.
She said she would press the government to adjust the lighting of Paris’ national monuments, including the domed Pantheon and the Arc de Triomphe, the famous Napoleon’s arch that dominates the Champs-Élysées, in line with France’s savings plan.
Paris authorities are also aiming to save energy by turning on heating in public buildings for a month from mid-October to mid-November. He also plans to reduce the temperature in public buildings by 1 degree from 19 to 18 degrees Celsius (66 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit) during business hours and to 16 degrees during off hours and on weekends. increase.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.