As the winter draws to a close without there being any power cuts, statistics published by SMEG, Société Monégasque de l’Électricité et du Gaz, show that overall consumption of electrical power was 10 percent down from October 1 until December 17.
Among private households and small businesses usage was down 8.5 percent, for SME’s by 8.7 percent, and 9.9 percent for large users, such as the Princess Grace Hospital and SBM.
In January the falls were 9.5 percent for the households and most businesses, and for larger users an astonishing 11.9 percent.
Sylvain Didierjean, SMEG’s operational manager, said of the stop in usage: “It’s huge We did not expect such results.”
The Prince’s Government had called for ‘energy sobriety’ before the start of winter, and it seems that Monaco took note. Higher bills and the threats of possible blackouts, helped by mild weather, also contributed.
FILE PHOTO: The Principality is almost entirey dependent on power supplies from France. Reuters
