The pie charts compare electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000, measured in units.
The pie charts compare electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000, measured in units.
Overall, electricity output rose in both countries but their energy profiles developed in very different directions. Australia became increasingly dependent on coal, while France shifted towards nuclear power. By 2000, these two sources had become the dominant form of electricity production in their respective countries.
In Australia, total production increased from 100 units in 1980 to 170 units in 2000. Coal was already the main source at the beginning, producing 50 units, and its contribution rose sharply to 130 units by 2000. Hydro power also increased, from 20 to 36 units. By contrast, natural gas and oil became almost insignificant, dropping from 20 to 2 and 10 to 2 units between 1980 and 2000, respectively. Nuclear power was not used in Australia for this whole period.
Additionally, France showed a more dramatic structural change. In 1980, its electricity production was more evenly distributed, with coal and natural gas each contributing 25 units, oil 20, nuclear power 15, and hydro power 5. By 2000, however, total output had doubled to 180 units, and nuclear power had become by far the largest source, rising to 126 units. Coal remained unchanged at 25 units, while oil increased slightly to the same level. Natural gas and hydro power both fell sharply to just 2 units each.