Turn off the lights this winter, urge Belgian ministers

The Belgian government is considering taking measures to save energy this winter, including making it mandatory to shut off the lights at public buildings in the evening. As the country faces possible power outages this winter, the government is urging both businesses and individuals to leave the lights off as much as possible around dusk, at the possible risk of a fine.

"Turning off street lights across the country already brings an energy savings of 255 megawatts. For shop window lighting, we’re talking about a savings of around 450 megawatts,” according to De Morgen. “The impact of Christmas lighting is minimal. But refraining from doing the ironing for a few hours, for example, could mean a total savings of 800 megawatts. By comparison, a nuclear power plant produces around 1,000 megawatts in that same amount of time. "

The government is also considering a ban on the use of household appliances between certain hours, including washing machines and dryers. "The basic principle is always solidarity: saving energy in one place could reduce the chance of a blackout somewhere else. The more people who make an effort to save energy, the less chance that these measures will need to be imposed," say Energy Minister Marie-Christine Marghem and Economy Minster Kris Peeters.