Prevent Fuel Shortage, France Allows Solar Sales Below Standards

JAKARTA - The French government has temporarily allowed the sale of fuel that does not meet technical standards.

French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure earlier said the energy market conditions in the country were not as serious as in other EU countries.

The fuel that the seller is allowed to sell is reportedly less resistant to low temperatures due to the difference in the cold filter plugging point - the highest temperature at which diesel engines can still start and operate.

"The policy was taken to deal with the potential shortage of solar in the midst of global energy price instability," the report said.

Normal standards in France require diesel engines to be able to operate at temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius.

However, this exception allows the sale of solar that can only operate up to zero degrees Celsius.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, which caused damage and killed civilians.

Iran then retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

The escalation led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas from Gulf countries to global markets.

The disruption also affected oil exports and production in the region and pushed up global energy prices.