French power utility GDF Suez SA (GSZ.FR) plans to close three of the four gas-fired power plants it operates in its home country because their profitability fell, the newspaper Les Echos reported Thursday, citing unidentified sources.

GDF Suez's gas-fired power plants are running at 33% of their installed capacity, the report said, as a result of lower demand in Europe and rising competition from cheaper coal-fired plants. The company has already closed power plants in other countries in Europe .

France depends on nuclear energy for about 80% of its electricity supply.

The company confirmed it is considering a "reorganization" of its thermal power activities in France , the newspaper said.

No officials at GDF Suez were immediately available to comment.

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