France is leading the world in low-carbon electricity generation, with more than 96% of its electricity coming from clean energy sources from September 2024 to August 2025. A substantial majority, more than two-thirds, is supplied by nuclear power, reflecting France’s commitment to utilizing reliable and sustainable energy. Hydropower also plays a vital role, accounting for nearly 13% of the electricity mix, while wind and solar contribute around 9% and 5% respectively. Fossil fuels cover a small fraction of the supply, under 4%, with natural gas providing the majority of that share. This remarkable achievement highlights France's potential as a global leader in clean electricity. However, to electrify other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, France will need a substantial increase in electricity supply.
Is Electricity Growing in France?
Currently, electricity consumption per person in France is nearly 8,000 kWh, a decrease from the historical peak of over 9,300 kWh in 2004. This decline of approximately 1,460 kWh per person indicates a concerning trend of reduced electric growth, at a time when fulfilling future energy demands is crucial. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has also dropped, falling by about 800 kWh from its 2004 record of over 8,400 kWh. While the commitment to low-carbon energy is commendable, these declines suggest a missed opportunity for growth, which is needed to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly expansion in sectors continuously demanding more power.
Suggestions
To address these challenges, expanding existing nuclear capacity should be a key focus for France, particularly given nuclear's pivotal role in its successful low-carbon strategy. As a large-scale and reliable source of green electricity, nuclear power can support significant demand increases while ensuring environmental sustainability. Complementing nuclear energy, further investments in solar technology can provide an additional clean source of electricity, enhancing the resilience and diversification of France’s electricity portfolio. By prioritizing these expansions, France can secure its low-carbon electricity supply and support the necessary electrification and growth in various sectors.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in France, the 1980s experienced substantial growth, highlighted by multiple spikes in nuclear power production: significant increases of over 44 TWh in 1981 and about 47 TWh in 1984, reflecting a robust expansion of nuclear capacity. The 1990s and early 2000s also continued this trend, albeit at a slower pace, with increases clustered around 20 to 30 TWh, sustaining a strong foundation for low-carbon electricity. However, in the 2010s and the early 2020s, nuclear electricity faced some setbacks, with notable declines in 2009 and rising again in 2021. These fluctuations underscore the importance of consistent support for nuclear energy to maintain and enhance green energy outputs. Despite these challenges, recent years, particularly 2023 and 2024, reflect strong recoveries with positive growth, reaffirming the potential for nuclear energy to continue as a cornerstone of France’s low-carbon electricity strategy.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.