Energy sobriety: the State "ahead" of its roadmap, assures the ministry to AFP

On a "representative sample" of more than 8.500 buildings in the state's building stock, the ministry advances an 11,3% reduction in gross electricity consumption between November 2021 and November 2022.

By correcting the data for seasonal variations, such as the exceptionally mild temperatures of autumn 2022, the administration's electricity consumption (heating, lighting, etc.) fell by 8,3% over one year, according to data from the government.

A percentage drop comparable to that recorded nationally by RTE, although the comparison periods are different.

According to the electricity transmission system operator, national electricity consumption thus fell by 6,4% in November 2022 compared to the average consumption recorded over the same period between 2014 and 2019.

Gross government gas consumption fell by 32,6% between November 2021 and November 2022, with adjusted consumption falling more modestly by 7,8%.

In October, the administration's corrected consumption increased by 0,9% over one year for electricity and fell by 2,9% for gas, on a slightly smaller sample of buildings (about 8.200 buildings).

The government figures only relate to a small part of the state's building stock, made up of a total of 190.000 buildings, but the sample chosen is "representative", a large part of the buildings not being yet equipped with devices for measuring energy consumption, specifies the ministry.

"These first very positive results show that all public officials are mobilizing", welcomed the Minister of Public Service Stanislas Guerini. "We are ahead of the road plan" of reducing the state's energy consumption by 10%, he added.

Between 2019 and 2024, the administration is aiming for a 10% reduction in its energy consumption (from 20 to 18 terawatt hours), before a 40% reduction by 2050.

In terms of energy sobriety, "the two most effective measures are the rule of 19 degrees on average" in public buildings, and the installation of smart thermostats which allow "better management" and "better control" of consumption , underlines the Ministry of the Public Service.

Stanislas Guerini presented a sobriety plan in October which includes numerous measures to limit energy consumption.

Key provisions include a maximum speed of 110 km/h on the motorway for the fleet of public vehicles, a new thermal renovation program for buildings and the integration of energy performance criteria into State purchases. .