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On January 14, 2022, a spokesperson for Europe’s largest aluminum smelter, Aluminium Dunkerque in France, said the company has no plans to further regulate production as a result of current restrictions, as it anticipates government subsidies on energy prices.

The smelter has reduced its aluminum production by 15 percent, allying itself with many other aluminum plants in Europe that are decreasing production, a way to counter energy prices that have eaten into the margins of the energy-intensive aluminum industry.

The spokesperson also added that no new restrictions have been set. Meanwhile, the aluminum smelter at this time will not resume idle production units, as the French government’s relief is expected to be implemented starting in April 2022.

On January 13, 2022, the government announced a plan to urge state-owned Électricité de France (EDF) to sell nuclear power more cheaply to competitors to limit rising electricity prices.

According to Nicolas Goldberg, Senior Manager of Energy & Environment at Colombus Consulting, the impact of energy costs on strategic sites such as Aluminium Dunkirk will also have to be addressed, with the risk of a knock-on effect on industries that use its aluminum such as the automotive and aeronautics sectors.

The association of large energy-consuming industries, UNIDEN welcomed the government’s proposal, while asking the authorities to design plans for next year in case electricity prices remain high.