The move comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its seventh month and the international community struggles to prepare for the possibility that Russia could cut off gas supplies. Before the start of the war, Russia supplied Europe with 40% of the gas; now it only provides nine percent.
The landmark, situated in the Champs de Mar district of Paris, currently offers spectators a dazzling light show from the start of each hour until 1 am, when more than 20,000 lamps flash on and off like fireworks. From September 23, the lights on the wrought iron structure will turn off at 11:45 pm, adding up to a 4% reduction in energy costs. Public building lights will dim at 10pm and heating will drop to 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit); the temperature in public swimming pools will be reduced from one degree to 25 degrees Celsius. Despite the measures, the president of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, assured the public that “France will always be the City of Light”.