Everything Editor: Bi Luming
According to CCTV News on the 9th, on October 8, local time, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions of France (CGT) stated that on the 8th, the largest French refinery including Total Energies in Normandy, France, and two French refineries of ExxonMobil in the United States continued to remain closed due to strikes. At the same time, supply shortages occurred at gas stations in many northern France, and drivers waiting to refuel were lined up.
After the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, EU and the United States imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, but the backlash of sanctions made European countries in a dilemma and the economy was overwhelmed. A report released on October 8 shows that Italy's economy is at risk of recession. At the same time, the UK's energy market regulator recently stated that the UK may face a "major risk" of the shortage of natural gas this winter. UK National Grid warns that if there is a problem with the natural gas supply, power restrictions will be restricted in some areas.
Several French refineries are closed due to strikes
According to CCTV News on the 9th, on October 8 local time, local time, French Federation of Trade Unions said that three of France's six refineries continue to remain closed due to strikes. Among them, the largest French refinery affiliated to Total Energy Company has been closed due to continuous strikes for nearly two weeks.
According to media statistics, the strike has caused a recent reduction of the total production of French refineries by more than 60%. Nearly half of Total Energy's gas stations operating in Paris and surrounding areas have suspended sales of gasoline or diesel due to tight fuel supply. At the same time, supply shortages occurred at gas stations in many northern France, and drivers waiting to refuel were lined up.
driver waiting in line for fuel gas Galiber: "The time for gas stations can set a record, it takes at least one and a half hours or two (to add oil)."
driver waiting in line for fuel gas François : "The situation is very complicated and surprising. No one informed us in advance that the fuel shortage is short of fuel, and we are all trapped. The government said that 15% of gas stations in France are short of oil, but in Paris, it seems that all gas stations have no oil."
A French government spokesman said on the 7th that 15% of gas stations in France are experiencing "temporary difficulties." French Minister of Energy Transformation Panier Lünache said that as of noon on the 7th, 19% of gas stations across France had a shortage of at least one fuel. It is reported that if the fuel supply cannot improve, France may use its strategic reserves.
report lowered Italy's economic growth expectations for next year
According to CCTV News on the 9th, European countries have long been highly dependent on Russian natural gas and oil supply. After the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the EU and the United States imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, but the backlash of sanctions left European countries in a dilemma and the economy was overwhelmed. A report released on October 8 shows that Italy's economy is at risk of recession.
On the 8th local time, the Italian Federation of Industrialists released a report showing that the organization's expectations for Italy's economic growth in 2023 were lowered to zero from 1.6% in April this year. At the same time, the report also pointed out that if energy prices rise further or natural gas supply continues to be blocked, the Italian economy may experience a significant recession.
Image source: CCTV News Video Screenshot
Early, the Italian retail industry organization Federation of Trade and Trade also stated that from now until the first half of 2023, inflation caused by rising energy prices may cause at least 120,000 small businesses to go bankrupt in Italy, and will also cause the loss of 370,000 jobs.
Previously, in September, several major German economic research institutions jointly released this year's autumn economic forecast report. Affected by the rising energy prices, the report expressed pessimism about Germany's economic outlook and expected the German economy to fall into recession in the second half of this year and early next year. The German Ministry of Economic Affairs also adjusted its economic expectations for 2023 to shrink by 0.4%.
France also lowered its economic growth rate to 1% next year in September. French Finance Minister Le Maire admitted that France's economic outlook next year has "unprecedented" uncertainty, and reducing inflation pressure is the "most serious and urgent challenge" facing France and other European countries.
power supply is tightening, and British people feel uneasy
According to CCTV News on the 9th, as the European energy dilemma intensifies, the British energy market regulator recently stated that the UK may face a "major risk" of natural gas shortage this winter. Since more than 40% of the UK's total electricity relies on natural gas to generate electricity, the UK's National Grid warned that if there is a problem with the natural gas supply in , it will shut down power to some areas. This statement made the British people uneasy.
Image source: CCTV News Video Screenshot
Although the UK is not highly dependent on Russian natural gas, its main natural gas importers Norway, Netherlands and Belgium are also facing huge pressure to supply gas to other European countries. The UK National Grid warned that if the energy crisis escalates, British people should be prepared to take turns to be forced out of power for three hours during peak electricity consumption. The last time Britain had to carry out large-scale shutdown and power restrictions was in the 1970s.
In recent times, the lives of British people have been greatly affected by soaring energy prices, and are now warned that they may be shut down and power limits, which makes many British people feel uneasy about the days to come.
In order to survive this winter, many European countries have tried their best to store energy and save energy, but British Prime Minister recently stated that the current energy situation in the UK is better than that of many European countries. So far, the UK government has not launched any national energy-saving plans. Experts expressed concerns about this.
Energy and climate management analyst Ruston: "Many energy experts are worried about why the British government chose this path. Most European countries have proposed energy conservation plans, especially Germany and Spain have proposed some very reasonable energy conservation measures, such as turning off the lights in time when you leave the room and not allowing merchants to turn on the lights at night. These measures are not only reasonable for the public, but also important for maintaining energy security."
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