Line graph - Eelectricity Production in France by Source

The line graph compares the mount of electricity produced by four different sources of power in France over a period of 32 years.

It is clear that nuclear power was by far the most important means of electricity generation over the period shown. Renewables provideds the lowest amount of electricity in each year.

In 1980, thermal power stations were the main source of electricity in France, Generating around 120 terawatt hours of power. Nuclear and hydroelectric power stations produced just under 75 terawatt hours of electricity each, and renewables provided a negligible amount. Just one year later, nuclear power overtook thermal power as the primary source of electricity.

Between 1980 and 2005, electricity production from unclear power rose framatically to a peak of 430 terawatt hours. By contrast, the figure for thermal power fell to only 50 terawatt hours in 1985, and remained at this level for the rest of the period. Hydroelectric power generation remained relatively stable, at between 50 and 80 terawatt hours, for the whole 32-year period, butrenewable electricity production saw only a small rise to approximately 25 terawatt hours by 2012.