Energy & Climate
France runs one of the cleanest electricity grids in Europe, thanks to nuclear. Track the mix, demand, and carbon intensity in real time.
Nuclear share
84.1%
CO₂ intensity
32g/kWh
Very clean — among the lowest in Europe
Demand
41.1GW
Low — likely summer
Electricity Mix
How France generates its electricity today. Nuclear dominates, but renewables (wind, solar, hydro) are growing steadily.
France generates ~70% of its electricity from nuclear — the highest ratio in the world. Renewables (hydro, wind, solar) fill most of the rest. Gas and coal are only used at peak times.
Nuclear Share Over Time
Daily share of electricity from nuclear power. France's 56 reactors typically provide 65–75% of electricity — making it the most nuclear-dependent country in the world.
CO₂ Intensity Over Time
Grams of CO₂ emitted per kWh of electricity produced. On a good day, France emits under 50 gCO₂/kWh — compare that to Germany (300–400) or Poland (600+).
Electricity Demand
Average daily electricity consumption (in GW). France uses a lot of electric heating, so demand spikes sharply in winter. This is why the grid can come under stress during cold snaps.
Why France Is Different
After the 1973 oil crisis, France launched a massive nuclear program — the Messmer Plan — to reduce dependence on imported oil. Today, EDF operates 56 reactors across the country. This gives France some of the cheapest and cleanest electricity in Europe, but also means the grid is vulnerable when reactors go offline for maintenance (as happened in 2022).