The energy crisis will reach a crunch point as winter begins in Europe, with governments hoping they can cut consumption fast enough to avoid electricity shortages
German cities like Berlin will turn lights off early on public monuments
Christian Ender/Getty Images
As Europe braces for winter, its nations are aiming to reduce their electricity use in the hope of avoiding blackouts as energy prices soar and temperatures drop. But how easily might countries cut consumption, and will they succeed in doing so?
On 30 September, European Union energy ministers agreed to try to reduce electricity use between 1 November and the end of March by 10 per cent, based on average usage in the past five years (excluding 2020 due to …