Eiffel Tower to go dark earlier as Paris saves energy

Lights on the Eiffel Tower will soon be turned off an hour earlier at night as part of an energy savings plan. Photo / AP

Lights on the Eiffel Tower will soon be turned off more than an hour earlier at night to save electricity, the Paris mayor announced, as Russia's war in Ukraine deepens an energy crisis in Europe.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the iconic tower that is usually illuminated until 1am is only one of the city's monuments and municipal buildings that will be plunged into darkness earlier in the evening as the French capital — like the rest of France and Europe — faces risks of power shortages, rationing and blackouts when energy demand surges this winter.

Russia has reduced natural gas supplies to several European countries as they support Ukraine, sending prices for gas and electricity surging. It has fueled inflation and raised fears about shrinking supplies as the heating season draws near, forcing countries to enact conservation measures and relief for consumers and businesses. While some European companies have reduced or halted production as energy prices surge, the European Union is looking to pass proposals to ease the crisis.

Lights on the Eiffel Tower will be turned off after the last visitor leaves at 11.45pm, starting September 23, Hidalgo said. Other landmarks operated by the city, such as Saint-Jacques tower and City Hall, will be turned off at 10pm.

"It's symbolic, but an important step," Hidalgo said, brushing off criticism that Paris authorities could do more to reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent — the target set in July by President Emmanuel Macron as part of a nationwide "sobriety plan" to conserve energy.

For safety reasons, streetlights will stay on across Paris and the ornate bridges over the Seine River will remain illuminated at night, Hidalgo told reporters.

To align with France's savings plan, she said she would press the government to adjust the lighting on national monuments in Paris, such as the domed Pantheon and the Arc de Triomphe, the famous Napoleonic arch that dominates the Champs-Elysees Avenue.

Paris authorities also aim to save energy by moving back when they turn on the heat in public buildings for a whole month, from mid-October to mid-November. They also plan to lower the temperature in public buildings by 1 degree, from 19C to 18C during office hours, and to 16C after hours and on weekends.