France will have filled out 100 percent of its strategic gas reserves by November 1, government energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told C News TV, as European countries prepare for fewer energy supplies coming through from Russia.

Brussels is urging European Union member states to save gas and store it for winter, fearing Russia will completely cut off flows in retaliation for sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Last month, European Union countries — bracing for further cuts in Russian gas supply — approved a weakened emergency plan to curb demand, after striking compromise deals to limit reductions for some countries.

Energy ministers agreed that all EU countries should voluntarily cut gas use by 15% from August to March, compared with their average annual use during 2017-2021.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Nicolas Delame and Myriam Rivet; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)