Electricity in France in 2023/2024

France has made substantial strides in generating low-carbon electricity, with an impressive 96.14% of its electricity coming from clean sources over the last 12 months, from October 2023 to September 2024. Nearly 67% of this originates from nuclear power, making it the backbone of France's low-carbon strategy. Hydropower, wind, and solar contribute 14.47%, 9.55%, and 4.39% respectively to the low-carbon mix. Fossil fuels account for a mere 3.86%, with natural gas being the primary contributor. This near-total reliance on low-carbon energy is not only an environmental milestone for France but also for its neighbors, as France's net exports of low-carbon electricity enable other countries to lower their emissions. Moving forward, France faces the critical challenge of expanding its clean electricity generation to electrify transport, heating, and industrial sectors.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, France should consider expanding its existing nuclear infrastructure. As it stands, nuclear power is a major contributor to the nation’s clean energy supply and has proven to be a reliable and consistent source of electricity. Investing further in nuclear technology can help France meet its growing electricity needs while continuing to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Furthermore, the expansion of wind and solar energy can complement the reliability of nuclear, contributing to a diversified and resilient energy grid. By harnessing new advancements in these technologies, France can create a robust and sustainable electricity system that meets future demands.

History

France's strong foundation in low-carbon electricity generation has a storied history. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was substantial growth in nuclear capacity, with significant increases in electricity generation of 21.3 TWh in 1980 and 44.1 TWh in 1981. This growth continued well into the 1980s, with nuclear generation boosting by 35.3 TWh in 1983 and peaking with an impressive 47 TWh increase in 1984. After a brief lull in the 1990s, nuclear output saw another notable increase in 1993 by 29.7 TWh. Recently, the nuclear sector faced some setbacks, such as a decline of 45.2 TWh in 2020 and a substantial decrease of 84.6 TWh in 2022, but rebounded with a 40.9 TWh increase by 2023. Hydropower also saw significant production fluctuations, particularly a sharp decline of 29.9 TWh in 1989, but recent data shows a positive uptick with a 22.1 TWh increase in 2023-2024. These historical patterns underscore France's resilience and capacity for sustained growth in its low-carbon energy sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources