France vs Iran: Electricity Compared
France generated 574 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Iran 398 TWh, according to Ember. France's largest source was nuclear (68.3%); Iran's was gas (88.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 41 gCO2/kWh in France and 658 gCO2/kWh in Iran. 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
- Gas supplied 88.3% of Iran's electricity in 2025, against 3.0% in France.
- Iran's electricity was 16.0 times as carbon intensive as France's in 2025, at 658 gCO2/kWh against 41 gCO2/kWh.
- Carbon intensity rose 4% in Iran between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 30% in France.
- Low carbon sources supplied 94.9% of France's electricity in 2025 and 5.9% of Iran's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 481 TWh in France and 397 TWh in Iran.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | France | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 574 TWh | 398 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 481 TWh | 397 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.15 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 41 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 23.7 MtCO2 | 262 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 94.9% | 5.9% |
| Largest source | Nuclear 68.3% | Gas 88.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | France | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 3.0% | 88.3% |
| Nuclear | 68.3% | 1.8% |
| Hydro | 10.3% | 3.5% |
| Wind | 8.8% | 0.3% |
| Other fossil | 1.8% | 5.7% |
| Solar | 5.6% | 0.2% |
| Bioenergy | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| Coal | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Other renewables | 0.1% | 0.0% |
Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | France | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | n/a | 577 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | n/a | 568 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | n/a | 561 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | n/a | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | n/a | 597 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 104 gCO2/kWh | 599 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 122 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 102 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 592 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 67 gCO2/kWh | 629 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 73 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 645 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 97 gCO2/kWh | 641 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 87 gCO2/kWh | 659 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 668 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 652 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 81 gCO2/kWh | 649 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 86 gCO2/kWh | 636 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 77 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 80 gCO2/kWh | 631 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 662 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 661 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 75 gCO2/kWh | 654 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 648 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 76 gCO2/kWh | 634 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 52 gCO2/kWh | 644 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 69 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 78 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 59 gCO2/kWh | 630 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 79 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 53 gCO2/kWh | 638 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 40 gCO2/kWh | 643 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 41 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | France | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.79 MWh |
| 2001 | 7.92 MWh | 1.89 MWh |
| 2002 | 7.86 MWh | 2.04 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.11 MWh | 2.21 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.25 MWh | 2.32 MWh |
| 2005 | 8.26 MWh | 2.46 MWh |
| 2006 | 8.12 MWh | 2.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 8.09 MWh | 2.71 MWh |
| 2008 | 8.27 MWh | 2.76 MWh |
| 2009 | 7.97 MWh | 2.85 MWh |
| 2010 | 8.38 MWh | 3.00 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.02 MWh | 2.94 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.17 MWh | 3.04 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.21 MWh | 3.12 MWh |
| 2014 | 7.72 MWh | 3.31 MWh |
| 2015 | 7.86 MWh | 3.36 MWh |
| 2016 | 7.95 MWh | 3.39 MWh |
| 2017 | 7.90 MWh | 3.54 MWh |
| 2018 | 7.83 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2019 | 7.73 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2020 | 7.32 MWh | 3.77 MWh |
| 2021 | 7.65 MWh | 3.95 MWh |
| 2022 | 7.29 MWh | 4.03 MWh |
| 2023 | 7.05 MWh | 4.14 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.09 MWh | 4.30 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.15 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.