Electricity production in France 2020-2021, by source

Nuclear was the main energy source for electricity production in France, with around 360 terawatt-hours in 2021. By comparison, hydropower was the second largest energy source in France, with an electricity production amounting to 62.5 terawatt-hours. Nuclear energy share in France stood at 69 percent in 2021, and has remained over 70 percent from 1990 to 2020.

The important share of nuclear power in French electricity production

Concerning the use of nuclear energy for electricity production, the French production follows a different path than its neighbor Germany. Since 2000, alongside the first versions of the nuclear phase-out laws, nuclear power in Germany's energy mix decreased from 29.5 to 11.8 percent in 2021. However, it appears that French public opinion tends to express more support to nuclear power generation: 59 percent of surveyed in 2021 stated being in favor of nuclear power.  

Renewable energy capacities in France

Another survey conducted in 2017 reveals that almost half of French respondents considered that investing in the development of renewable energies should be a priority for investments of the electricity sector. Total renewable capacity in France has continuously increased since 2010.