Overall, growth lies in the areas of wind and solar photo-voltaic. France is self-sufficient in terms of electrical energy production and is a net exporter of electricity. It is predominantly nuclear powered as 78 percent of electricity comes from the 54 nuclear power plants in service. The exploitation of coal and oil resources has steadily decreased over the last two decades. Oil-fired power stations are used to meet peak demand while nuclear power supplies the primary base load for the system.
Oil is imported for use mainly in the transport sector.
France also consumes solar heating and biomass, mainly wood. However, as of January 1999, implementation of EU directives has opened the way towards the liberalization of European electricity markets. Consequently, the French electrical energy market is, in theory, partly open to foreign competition since February 19, 1999. With the largest forest in Western Europe, the second largest wind field, and a strong hydraulic potential, France has many natural energy resources. With regard to these two prominent energy sources, France is Europe's leading producer of electricity generated by renewable energy.