200 local areas apply to phase out natural gas

Last April, the government announced the launch of “zero gas” territories. Coordinated action across an entire area to eliminate all gas consumption makes it possible to shut down whole sections of the network — impossible as long as residual demand remains. Around 100 territories are expected to be selected. The energy regulator (CRE), which backs the initiative, has nonetheless identified 1,800 territories (out of the 9,000 municipalities connected to the gas network) where doing without gas will be particularly difficult, owing to gas-fired district heating networks, gas-consuming industries, or biomethane plants feeding gas distribution networks. But in 80% of territories, moving away from gas looks feasible.