The given graph compares the amount of electricity produced by four sources in France over a 32-year period.
Overall, nuclear power was by far the most essential means of electricity generation over the period shown. Meanwhile, renewables produced the lowest amount of electricity.
In 1980, thermal power was the main source of power in France, producing about 130 terawatt hours. Nuclear and hydroelectric stations generated just under 75 terawatt hours each, and renewables produced a negligible amount of electricity. Just a few years later, nuclear power overtook thermal power as the primary source of electricity.
Between 1985 and 2005, the amount of electricity produced by nuclear power rose significantly to a peak of 430 terawatt hours. By contrast, the figure for thermal power fell to 50 terawatt hours in 1985, remained at this level for the rest of the period. Hydroelectric power remained stable, at between 50 and 80 terawatt hours of electricity for the whole period of 32 years, and renewable electricity production experienced a slight growth from 2005 to 2012, approximately 25 terawatt hours.