French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a sharp 10% reduction in the country's energy consumption in the coming weeks and months to avoid the risk of rationing and cuts this winter.

Macron warned that forced energy rationing may have to be considered in the coming months if voluntary efforts prove insufficient. He said energy rationing plans are being prepared just in case and cuts will be made as a last resort.

"The best energy is that which we don't consume," the French leader said at a news conference in which he urged French businesses and households to save energy, including by turning off heating and air conditioning.

Macron said France wants to develop all energy connections that make sense, but he sees no need to build additional pipeline capacity between Spain and France.

Macron admitted that France needs European solidarity on the issue of electricity, since more than half of the country's nuclear reactors are shut down for technical reasons.

Macron confirmed that he is in favor of reforming the European electricity market so that prices are set in a coordinated way and correspond to production prices.

He also said that France supports the idea of joint gas purchases at the European level and the establishment of a price ceiling on Russian gas exported to Europe.