The pie charts illustrate the electricity production from all sources (Conventional Thermal, Renewables, and Nuclear) as well as specifically from Renewables (Biomass, Hydroelectric, Solar, and Wind) in two European countries, Germany and France, for the year 2009.
Overall, Germany generated the highest amount of electricity through Conventional Thermal sources, while France produced its largest share from Nuclear energy. Both countries produced the least electricity from Renewable sources, which include four different types: Biomass, Hydroelectric, Wind, and Solar.
In Germany, a total of 560 billion kWh of electricity was generated in 2009. The majority of this electricity – 59.6% – came from Conventional Thermal sources. Nuclear energy contributed 23% of the total electricity production, and the remaining electricity came from Renewable sources. Among these, Biomass accounted for the highest percentage, contributing 39.3%. Wind and Hydroelectric sources also made significant contributions at 36.9% and 17.7%, respectively, while Solar energy produced the least at 6.1%.
In France, 510 billion kWh of electricity was generated in 2009. The predominant source was Nuclear energy, which accounted for 76% of the total production. Conventional Thermal sources contributed 10.3%, and the remainder came from Renewables. Among the Renewables, Hydroelectric energy made up the largest share at 80.5%. Wind and Biomass contributed lesser amounts, with 10.5% and 8.1%, respectively, while Solar energy represented only 0.9% of total production.