France electricity generation: thermal (gross)
France electricity generation: thermal (gross) stood at 3,050.52 GWh in Aug 2026, according to SDES – Service des données et études statistiques (Ministère de la Transition écologique). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly energy balances table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1981 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly energy balances table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | |||||||||||
| Thermal, gross | 3,050.52 | 2,667.33 | 2,297.99 | 1,754.4 | 2,067.81 | 3,382.7 | 3,187.94 | 6,103.62 | 4,170.38 | 3,648.66 | |
| Electricity absorbed by pumping | 518.29 | 508.8 | 693.78 | 978.02 | 806.25 | 906.96 | 849.24 | 525 | 645.89 | 701.34 |
Understanding france electricity generation: thermal (gross)
Combustion power plants running on coal, natural gas, oil derivatives, and biomass produce the electrical energy captured in this series at the generator terminals. Gross generation differs from net generation by including the electricity consumed by the power plants themselves to run their internal auxiliary systems, meaning this total reflects the absolute volume exiting the turbine generators before station-use deductions.
Interpreting this record requires factoring in seasonal maintenance schedules for combustion units, which often cluster during periods of lower general power demand. Initial monthly figures are subject to regular revision as operators submit late operational logs and fuel consumption audits. Comparing this generation metric against non-thermal sources provides insight into the fossil and biomass contribution to the electricity mix, though direct month-to-month comparisons can mislead due to weather-driven fluctuations in heating needs.
Frequently asked questions
- What differentiates gross thermal generation from net thermal generation?
- Gross generation measures total output at the generator terminals before subtracting the electricity consumed internally by the power station, whereas net generation excludes those station-use amounts.
- Why do thermal generation figures fluctuate significantly across seasons?
- Thermal plants ramp up output during colder months to meet high space-heating demand and undergo routine maintenance during milder seasons when electricity needs drop.
- Are biomethane or pure biomass generation included in this thermal total?
- Yes, electricity generated by burning solid, liquid, or gaseous biomass in thermal plants is grouped under this heading alongside fossil fuel combustion.