France vs Switzerland: Electricity Compared
France generated 570 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Switzerland 65.0 TWh, according to Ember. France's largest source was nuclear (68.8%); Switzerland's was hydro (52.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 41 gCO2/kWh in France and 39 gCO2/kWh in Switzerland. 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
- Hydro supplied 52.3% of Switzerland's electricity in 2025, against 10.4% in France.
- Carbon intensity rose 7% in Switzerland between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 30% in France.
- Low carbon sources supplied 94.9% of France's electricity in 2025 and 97.7% of Switzerland's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 476 TWh in France and 65.1 TWh in Switzerland.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | France | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 570 TWh | 65.0 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 476 TWh | 65.1 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.15 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 41 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 23.6 MtCO2 | 2.54 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 94.9% | 97.7% |
| Largest source | Nuclear 68.8% | Hydro 52.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | France | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear | 68.8% | 29.9% |
| Hydro | 10.4% | 52.3% |
| Solar | 5.6% | 12.1% |
| Wind | 8.2% | 0.2% |
| Gas | 3.0% | 0.4% |
| Other fossil | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Bioenergy | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Other renewables | 0.1% | 1.6% |
| Coal | 0.3% | 0.0% |
Carbon Intensity, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | France | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 104 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1991 | 122 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1992 | 102 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1993 | 69 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1994 | 67 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1995 | 73 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1996 | 79 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1997 | 71 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1998 | 97 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1999 | 87 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 2000 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 33 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 81 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 86 gCO2/kWh | 38 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 52 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 53 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 40 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 41 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | France | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8.22 MWh |
| 2001 | 7.92 MWh | 8.39 MWh |
| 2002 | 7.86 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.11 MWh | 8.49 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.25 MWh | 8.56 MWh |
| 2005 | 8.26 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2006 | 8.12 MWh | 8.67 MWh |
| 2007 | 8.09 MWh | 8.53 MWh |
| 2008 | 8.27 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2009 | 7.97 MWh | 8.34 MWh |
| 2010 | 8.38 MWh | 8.51 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.02 MWh | 8.27 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.17 MWh | 8.24 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.21 MWh | 8.19 MWh |
| 2014 | 7.72 MWh | 7.89 MWh |
| 2015 | 7.86 MWh | 7.85 MWh |
| 2016 | 7.95 MWh | 7.76 MWh |
| 2017 | 7.90 MWh | 7.77 MWh |
| 2018 | 7.83 MWh | 7.60 MWh |
| 2019 | 7.73 MWh | 7.50 MWh |
| 2020 | 7.32 MWh | 7.28 MWh |
| 2021 | 7.65 MWh | 7.52 MWh |
| 2022 | 7.29 MWh | 7.38 MWh |
| 2023 | 7.05 MWh | 7.18 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.09 MWh | 7.17 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.15 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
France history · Switzerland history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.