The French transmission system operator RTE announced that in 2025, national electricity consumption remained stable, increasing by just 0.4% compared to the previous year. However, this consumption is about 6% lower than in the 2014–2019 period, i.e., before the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. Significantly, the share of electricity in the country's final energy mix did not increase, which analysts say confirms France's delays in the process of moving away from fossil fuels, which still account for 56% of energy consumption.

Stagnation in Consumption and Electrification

Electricity consumption in France in 2025 amounted to 451 TWh, increasing by only 0.4% year-on-year and remaining about 6% below pre-crisis levels. A key signal of delays is the lack of growth in electricity's share of final energy consumption.

Dominance of Fossil Fuels

Despite having a low-carbon and relatively cheap energy mix based on nuclear power, France is not fully leveraging this advantage. Fossil fuels still account for more than half, as much as 56%, of the country's final energy consumption.

Assessment by Operator RTE

Olivier Houvenagel, Deputy Director for Economics and Foresight Studies at RTE, emphasized that the stagnation of the country's electrification rate confirms the challenges related to achieving energy transition goals and reducing dependence on fossil resources.

The French transmission system operator RTE presented data confirming stagnation in national electricity consumption in 2025 and insufficient progress in the economy's decarbonization process. Electricity consumption reached 451 terawatt-hours last year, representing a minimal increase of 0.4% compared to 2024. However, the much more concerning fact is that this level is still about 6% lower than in the 2014–2019 period, the time before the coronavirus pandemic outbreak and the subsequent energy crisis fueled by the war in Ukraine. A key indicator highlighted by RTE is the lack of growth in electricity's share of the country's final energy consumption, the so-called electrification rate. Olivier Houvenagel from RTE pointed out that this stagnation is a clear signal of delays in the energy transition. Despite having one of the least carbon-intensive and cheapest energy systems in Europe, based mainly on nuclear power, France is not leveraging this advantage to accelerate the decarbonization of other sectors, such as transport or heating. Data indicates that fossil fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas – still account for more than half, as much as 56%, of the final energy mix. Thanks to an extensive nuclear power program launched in the 1970s, France has enjoyed one of Europe's lowest carbon intensity rates and stable electricity prices for decades. This advantage was supposed to be a driving force for broader electrification of the economy and achieving the European Union's ambitious climate goals. „„Surtout, on constate que la part de l'électricité dans la consommation d'énergie finale, donc le taux d'électrification du pays, n'a pas non plus augmenté.”” — Olivier Houvenagel The stabilization of the electrification rate indicates that sectors such as transport and buildings still rely heavily on liquid fuels and gas. This contradicts the assumptions of the French energy strategy, which envisaged gradually replacing fossil fuels with electricity, especially in the context of popularizing electric vehicles or heat pumps. RTE's analysis suggests that without additional, decisive policy and investment measures, France may struggle to meet national and EU greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Mentioned People

  • Olivier Houvenagel — Deputy Director for Economics and Foresight Studies at the French transmission system operator RTE