France electricity generation: gas thermal
France electricity generation: gas thermal stood at 16.4 TWh in 2025, according to ODRé – Open Data Réseaux Énergies (RTE, NaTran, Teréga). It is one of the indicators in the Electricity: annual generation, consumption and capacity table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2012 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Electricity: annual generation, consumption and capacity table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fossil thermal | 18.7 | 20 | 31.7 | 49 | 38.6 | 37.3 | 41.7 | 38.4 | 53.3 | 45 | |
| Gas | 16.4 | 17.4 | 29.1 | 43.9 | 32.8 | 34.4 | 38.3 | 31 | 40.8 | 35.2 | |
| Coal | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 9.7 | 7.2 |
Understanding france electricity generation: gas thermal
Quantifying electricity generated by combustion turbines and steam power stations operating on natural gas, this series measures metered output delivered to the high-voltage grid. The calculation includes both dedicated gas-fired power plants and combined heat and power installations, omitting internal energy consumed by the facilities themselves. Unlike coal or fuel oil alternatives, gas thermal generation often provides flexible peak-load and balancing power designed to compensate for fluctuations in renewable output. It differs from other fossil thermal subcategories through its lower carbon intensity and distinct fuel supply infrastructure.
Reading this metric involves tracking wholesale gas prices and carbon market dynamics, which frequently influence dispatch decisions and lead to retrospective data adjustments as fuel billing is finalized. Annual comparisons offer the clearest view of structural shifts in gas-fired generation capacity, filtering out short-term weather-driven demand spikes. Analysts should avoid equating gas generation capacity with actual output, as these plants often operate intermittently to balance the wider grid.
Frequently asked questions
- What technology types are included in this gas-fueled generation metric?
- Output covers dedicated gas-fired power stations and combined heat and power facilities.
- Why do gas thermal plants often operate intermittently on the grid?
- They frequently act as flexible balancing power to offset fluctuations from renewable energy sources.
- How do commodity markets impact the interpretation of this series?
- Fluctuations in natural gas prices and carbon credit costs directly alter dispatch volumes and generation trends.