Brazil vs Iran: Electricity Compared
Brazil generated 752 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Iran 399 TWh, according to Ember. Brazil's largest source was hydro (51.7%); Iran's was gas (73.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 110 gCO2/kWh in Brazil and 656 gCO2/kWh in Iran. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.
Why this comparison: both among the 20 largest electricity users.
Key Facts
- Gas supplied 73.3% of Iran's electricity in 2025, against 7.3% in Brazil.
- Iran's electricity was 6.0 times as carbon intensive as Brazil's in 2025, at 656 gCO2/kWh against 110 gCO2/kWh.
- Carbon intensity rose 4% in Iran between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 18% in Brazil.
- Low carbon sources supplied 88.7% of Brazil's electricity in 2025 and 5.2% of Iran's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 764 TWh in Brazil and 398 TWh in Iran.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Brazil | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 752 TWh | 399 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 764 TWh | 398 TWh |
| Demand per person | 3.58 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 110 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 82.6 MtCO2 | 262 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 88.7% | 5.2% |
| Largest source | Hydro 51.7% | Gas 73.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Brazil | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 577 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 85 gCO2/kWh | 568 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 74 gCO2/kWh | 561 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 66 gCO2/kWh | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 66 gCO2/kWh | 597 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 599 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 62 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 63 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 592 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 629 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 63 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 68 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 645 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 641 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 90 gCO2/kWh | 659 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 89 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 106 gCO2/kWh | 668 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 97 gCO2/kWh | 652 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 91 gCO2/kWh | 649 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 102 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 99 gCO2/kWh | 636 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 96 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 91 gCO2/kWh | 631 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 114 gCO2/kWh | 662 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 87 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 114 gCO2/kWh | 661 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 100 gCO2/kWh | 654 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 128 gCO2/kWh | 648 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 168 gCO2/kWh | 634 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 193 gCO2/kWh | 644 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 189 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 150 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 156 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 137 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 142 gCO2/kWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 133 gCO2/kWh | 630 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 168 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 103 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 96 gCO2/kWh | 638 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 106 gCO2/kWh | 643 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 110 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Brazil | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | n/a | n/a |
| 1986 | n/a | n/a |
| 1987 | n/a | n/a |
| 1988 | n/a | n/a |
| 1989 | n/a | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | n/a |
| 1991 | n/a | n/a |
| 1992 | n/a | n/a |
| 1993 | n/a | n/a |
| 1994 | n/a | n/a |
| 1995 | n/a | n/a |
| 1996 | n/a | n/a |
| 1997 | n/a | n/a |
| 1998 | n/a | n/a |
| 1999 | n/a | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.25 MWh | 1.79 MWh |
| 2001 | 2.08 MWh | 1.89 MWh |
| 2002 | 2.14 MWh | 2.04 MWh |
| 2003 | 2.23 MWh | 2.21 MWh |
| 2004 | 2.33 MWh | 2.32 MWh |
| 2005 | 2.39 MWh | 2.46 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.47 MWh | 2.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.57 MWh | 2.71 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.66 MWh | 2.76 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.64 MWh | 2.85 MWh |
| 2010 | 2.84 MWh | 3.00 MWh |
| 2011 | 2.91 MWh | 2.94 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.01 MWh | 3.04 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.08 MWh | 3.12 MWh |
| 2014 | 3.12 MWh | 3.31 MWh |
| 2015 | 3.05 MWh | 3.36 MWh |
| 2016 | 3.05 MWh | 3.39 MWh |
| 2017 | 3.06 MWh | 3.54 MWh |
| 2018 | 3.09 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2019 | 3.17 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2020 | 3.13 MWh | 3.77 MWh |
| 2021 | 3.24 MWh | 3.95 MWh |
| 2022 | 3.28 MWh | 4.03 MWh |
| 2023 | 3.43 MWh | 4.14 MWh |
| 2024 | 3.57 MWh | 4.30 MWh |
| 2025 | 3.58 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.