France vs South Korea: Electricity Compared
France generated 570 TWh of electricity in 2025 and South Korea 625 TWh, according to Ember. France's largest source was nuclear (68.8%); South Korea's was coal (31.1%). Each kWh generated emitted 41 gCO2/kWh in France and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.
Why this comparison: both among the 20 largest electricity users.
Key Facts
- Nuclear supplied 68.8% of France's electricity in 2025, against 29.6% in South Korea.
- South Korea's electricity was 10.1 times as carbon intensive as France's in 2025, at 417 gCO2/kWh against 41 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 94.9% of France's electricity in 2025 and 39.9% of South Korea's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 476 TWh in France and 625 TWh in South Korea.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | France | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 570 TWh | 625 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 476 TWh | 625 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.15 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 41 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 23.6 MtCO2 | 261 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 94.9% | 39.9% |
| Largest source | Nuclear 68.8% | Coal 31.1% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | France | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear | 68.8% | 29.6% |
| Coal | 0.3% | 31.1% |
| Gas | 3.0% | 28.0% |
| Hydro | 10.4% | 0.6% |
| Wind | 8.2% | 0.6% |
| Solar | 5.6% | 6.1% |
| Bioenergy | 1.8% | 3.2% |
| Other fossil | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| Other renewables | 0.1% | 0.0% |
Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | France | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | n/a | 524 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | n/a | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | n/a | 345 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | n/a | 405 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | n/a | 383 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 104 gCO2/kWh | 379 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 122 gCO2/kWh | 399 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 102 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 451 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 67 gCO2/kWh | 493 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 73 gCO2/kWh | 479 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 481 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 97 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 87 gCO2/kWh | 453 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 462 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 475 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 473 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 81 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 86 gCO2/kWh | 450 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 451 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 474 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 495 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 500 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 497 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 502 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 512 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 52 gCO2/kWh | 493 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 488 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 489 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 511 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 519 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 497 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 460 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 438 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 53 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 40 gCO2/kWh | 416 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 41 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | France | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | n/a | n/a |
| 1986 | n/a | n/a |
| 1987 | n/a | n/a |
| 1988 | n/a | n/a |
| 1989 | n/a | n/a |
| 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 | 7.79 MWh | 6.21 MWh |
| 2001 | 7.92 MWh | 6.59 MWh |
| 2002 | 7.86 MWh | 7.02 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.11 MWh | 7.32 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.25 MWh | 7.72 MWh |
| 2005 | 8.26 MWh | 8.14 MWh |
| 2006 | 8.12 MWh | 8.39 MWh |
| 2007 | 8.09 MWh | 8.83 MWh |
| 2008 | 8.27 MWh | 9.15 MWh |
| 2009 | 7.97 MWh | 9.32 MWh |
| 2010 | 8.38 MWh | 10.15 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.02 MWh | 10.55 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.17 MWh | 10.71 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.21 MWh | 10.73 MWh |
| 2014 | 7.72 MWh | 10.69 MWh |
| 2015 | 7.86 MWh | 10.75 MWh |
| 2016 | 7.95 MWh | 10.94 MWh |
| 2017 | 7.90 MWh | 11.20 MWh |
| 2018 | 7.83 MWh | 11.48 MWh |
| 2019 | 7.73 MWh | 11.34 MWh |
| 2020 | 7.32 MWh | 11.13 MWh |
| 2021 | 7.65 MWh | 11.72 MWh |
| 2022 | 7.29 MWh | 12.02 MWh |
| 2023 | 7.05 MWh | 11.93 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.09 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.15 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
France history · South Korea history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.