France has made remarkable strides in securing its electricity needs from sustainable, low-carbon sources, with nearly 97% of its electricity coming from these sources in 2025. Significantly, nuclear energy contributes the lion's share, accounting for almost 70% of the electricity generation, reflecting the country's longstanding commitment to this reliable energy source. Hydropower, wind, and solar collectively contribute a substantial portion, with about 11%, 9%, and 6%, respectively, demonstrating a diversified clean energy portfolio. Fossil energy plays a minimal role, comprising just over 3% of the mix, primarily from gas and biofuels. France's status as a major net exporter further assists its neighbors to minimize their carbon footprints, showcasing France as a leader in clean energy production. However, in light of electrification of the transport, heating, and industrial sectors, further advancements in low-carbon electricity will be necessary to meet future demands.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in France?
Despite these achievements, total electricity consumption in France has seen a significant decrease over the years. The average consumption in 2025 stands at approximately 7983 kWh per person, depicting a considerable drop from the peak in 2004, when consumption was 9384 kWh per person. This change reflects a reduced electricity use of over 1400 kWh per person. Although there's a decrease in total consumption, low-carbon electricity production per person has also seen a decline from its 2004 peak of 8432 kWh per person to around 7724 kWh per person in 2025. This decrease of over 700 kWh per person showcases a considerable reduction and highlights a critical need for growth to sustain and enhance low-carbon generation for the future.
Suggestions
To address future demands and opportunities for electrification, France could significantly benefit from expanding its existing nuclear capabilities. Nuclear power is already the cornerstone of the country's clean energy supply, responsible for the majority of low-carbon electricity generation. By investing in nuclear, France can continue its trajectory of providing a stable, reliable, and massive supply of low-carbon electricity. Additionally, enhancing solar energy infrastructure could complement the efforts to build a robust, sustainable, and diversified energy mix, given the potential for growth in this sector. These expansions would set a strong foundation to meet the ambitions of increased electrification across various sectors and help counter the declining trend in electricity consumption.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in France reveals key growth and declines primarily concentrated in its nuclear energy sector. During the early 1980s, nuclear capacity rose significantly, with considerable yearly increases ranging from 21 to 47 TWh, illustrating the rapid expansion of nuclear power during that decade. The static to marginal increases were seen in the 1990s and early 2000s, but from 2009 onwards, the nuclear sector faced notable declines, such as reductions of around 30 TWh in 2009 and 34 TWh in 2016. The 2020 and 2022 declines of 64 and 82 TWh, respectively, are particularly concerning. However, subsequent years, particularly 2021, 2023, and 2024, saw considerable recovery, with increases of over 25 and 40 TWh, indicating the capacity of nuclear energy to rebound and continue securing France's low-carbon future. Realizing the full potential of nuclear and integrating solar advancements will be vital for continued leadership in sustainable electricity generation.
