French energy giants call on consumers to cut energy use to off-set power shortages

Snow-covered transfer lines are seen at the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, Maryland March 18, 2014 Reuters - Gary Cameron

The heads of France's big energy companies urged individuals and businesses to limit power consumption immediately to prepare for a looming energy crisis.

In an open letter published by weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche, the chief executives of Engie, EDF and Total said on Sunday: "We need to work collectively to reduce our consumption in order to regain room to manoeuvre."