Belgium vs France: Electricity Compared
Belgium generated 72.0 TWh of electricity in 2025 and France 570 TWh, according to Ember. Nuclear was the largest source in both, at 33.5% in Belgium and 68.8% in France. Each kWh generated emitted 126 gCO2/kWh in Belgium and 41 gCO2/kWh in France. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.
Why this comparison: neighbours by land border or interconnector.
Key Facts
- Nuclear supplied 68.8% of France's electricity in 2025, against 33.5% in Belgium.
- Belgium's electricity was 3.0 times as carbon intensive as France's in 2025, at 126 gCO2/kWh against 41 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 74.6% of Belgium's electricity in 2025 and 94.9% of France's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 85.4 TWh in Belgium and 476 TWh in France.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Belgium | France |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 72.0 TWh | 570 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 85.4 TWh | 476 TWh |
| Demand per person | 6.83 MWh | 7.15 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 126 gCO2/kWh | 41 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 9.06 MtCO2 | 23.6 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 74.6% | 94.9% |
| Largest source | Nuclear 33.5% | Nuclear 68.8% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | Belgium | France |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear | 33.5% | 68.8% |
| Gas | 25.9% | 3.0% |
| Wind | 18.7% | 8.2% |
| Solar | 14.5% | 5.6% |
| Hydro | 0.7% | 10.4% |
| Bioenergy | 7.2% | 1.8% |
| Other fossil | 0.0% | 1.8% |
| Coal | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Other renewables | 0.0% | 0.1% |
Carbon Intensity, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Belgium | France |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 313 gCO2/kWh | 104 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 311 gCO2/kWh | 122 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 302 gCO2/kWh | 102 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 311 gCO2/kWh | 69 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 326 gCO2/kWh | 67 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 320 gCO2/kWh | 73 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 304 gCO2/kWh | 79 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 273 gCO2/kWh | 71 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 292 gCO2/kWh | 97 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 246 gCO2/kWh | 87 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 270 gCO2/kWh | 80 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 253 gCO2/kWh | 69 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 250 gCO2/kWh | 75 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 249 gCO2/kWh | 81 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 248 gCO2/kWh | 77 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 241 gCO2/kWh | 86 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 232 gCO2/kWh | 77 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 224 gCO2/kWh | 80 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 218 gCO2/kWh | 76 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 217 gCO2/kWh | 76 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 213 gCO2/kWh | 79 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 193 gCO2/kWh | 75 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 203 gCO2/kWh | 78 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 184 gCO2/kWh | 76 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 190 gCO2/kWh | 52 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 215 gCO2/kWh | 59 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 159 gCO2/kWh | 69 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 160 gCO2/kWh | 78 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 187 gCO2/kWh | 60 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 157 gCO2/kWh | 60 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 167 gCO2/kWh | 59 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 132 gCO2/kWh | 60 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 139 gCO2/kWh | 79 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 135 gCO2/kWh | 53 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 127 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 126 gCO2/kWh | 41 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Belgium | France |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | n/a | n/a |
| 1991 | n/a | n/a |
| 1992 | n/a | n/a |
| 1993 | n/a | n/a |
| 1994 | n/a | n/a |
| 1995 | n/a | n/a |
| 1996 | n/a | n/a |
| 1997 | n/a | n/a |
| 1998 | n/a | n/a |
| 1999 | n/a | n/a |
| 2000 | 8.50 MWh | 7.79 MWh |
| 2001 | 8.53 MWh | 7.92 MWh |
| 2002 | 8.57 MWh | 7.86 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.67 MWh | 8.11 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.70 MWh | 8.25 MWh |
| 2005 | 8.65 MWh | 8.26 MWh |
| 2006 | 8.86 MWh | 8.12 MWh |
| 2007 | 8.81 MWh | 8.09 MWh |
| 2008 | 8.75 MWh | 8.27 MWh |
| 2009 | 8.13 MWh | 7.97 MWh |
| 2010 | 8.56 MWh | 8.38 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.32 MWh | 8.02 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.23 MWh | 8.17 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.21 MWh | 8.21 MWh |
| 2014 | 7.92 MWh | 7.72 MWh |
| 2015 | 7.93 MWh | 7.86 MWh |
| 2016 | 7.99 MWh | 7.95 MWh |
| 2017 | 8.03 MWh | 7.90 MWh |
| 2018 | 7.98 MWh | 7.83 MWh |
| 2019 | 7.91 MWh | 7.73 MWh |
| 2020 | 7.62 MWh | 7.32 MWh |
| 2021 | 7.91 MWh | 7.65 MWh |
| 2022 | 7.46 MWh | 7.29 MWh |
| 2023 | 7.15 MWh | 7.05 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.34 MWh | 7.09 MWh |
| 2025 | 6.83 MWh | 7.15 MWh |
Belgium history · France history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.