Brazil vs United Kingdom: Electricity Compared
Brazil generated 752 TWh of electricity in 2025 and the United Kingdom 295 TWh, according to Ember. Brazil's largest source was hydro (51.7%); the United Kingdom's was gas (31.2%). Each kWh generated emitted 110 gCO2/kWh in Brazil and 222 gCO2/kWh in the United Kingdom. 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
- Hydro supplied 51.7% of Brazil's electricity in 2025, against 1.8% in the United Kingdom.
- The United Kingdom's electricity was 2.0 times as carbon intensive as Brazil's in 2025, at 222 gCO2/kWh against 110 gCO2/kWh.
- Electricity demand rose 17% in Brazil between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 4% in the United Kingdom.
- Low carbon sources supplied 88.7% of Brazil's electricity in 2025 and 63.8% of the United Kingdom's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 764 TWh in Brazil and 313 TWh in the United Kingdom.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Brazil | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 752 TWh | 295 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 764 TWh | 313 TWh |
| Demand per person | 3.58 MWh | 4.62 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 110 gCO2/kWh | 222 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 82.6 MtCO2 | 65.5 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 88.7% | 63.8% |
| Largest source | Hydro 51.7% | Gas 31.2% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Brazil | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 694 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 85 gCO2/kWh | 721 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 74 gCO2/kWh | 737 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 66 gCO2/kWh | 710 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 66 gCO2/kWh | 689 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 60 gCO2/kWh | 705 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 62 gCO2/kWh | 700 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 63 gCO2/kWh | 665 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 608 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 61 gCO2/kWh | 589 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 63 gCO2/kWh | 579 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 68 gCO2/kWh | 557 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 512 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 71 gCO2/kWh | 510 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 90 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 89 gCO2/kWh | 522 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 106 gCO2/kWh | 529 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 97 gCO2/kWh | 521 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 91 gCO2/kWh | 537 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 102 gCO2/kWh | 536 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 99 gCO2/kWh | 535 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 96 gCO2/kWh | 559 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 91 gCO2/kWh | 556 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 114 gCO2/kWh | 554 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 87 gCO2/kWh | 505 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 114 gCO2/kWh | 517 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 100 gCO2/kWh | 500 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 128 gCO2/kWh | 537 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 168 gCO2/kWh | 507 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 193 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 189 gCO2/kWh | 398 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 150 gCO2/kWh | 333 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 156 gCO2/kWh | 302 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 137 gCO2/kWh | 286 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 142 gCO2/kWh | 268 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 133 gCO2/kWh | 243 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 168 gCO2/kWh | 267 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 103 gCO2/kWh | 255 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 96 gCO2/kWh | 236 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 106 gCO2/kWh | 216 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 110 gCO2/kWh | 222 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Brazil | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6.63 MWh |
| 2001 | 2.08 MWh | 6.67 MWh |
| 2002 | 2.14 MWh | 6.65 MWh |
| 2003 | 2.23 MWh | 6.69 MWh |
| 2004 | 2.33 MWh | 6.67 MWh |
| 2005 | 2.39 MWh | 6.71 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.47 MWh | 6.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.57 MWh | 6.53 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.66 MWh | 6.45 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.64 MWh | 6.07 MWh |
| 2010 | 2.84 MWh | 6.11 MWh |
| 2011 | 2.91 MWh | 5.89 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.01 MWh | 5.87 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.08 MWh | 5.79 MWh |
| 2014 | 3.12 MWh | 5.53 MWh |
| 2015 | 3.05 MWh | 5.51 MWh |
| 2016 | 3.05 MWh | 5.42 MWh |
| 2017 | 3.06 MWh | 5.32 MWh |
| 2018 | 3.09 MWh | 5.29 MWh |
| 2019 | 3.17 MWh | 5.19 MWh |
| 2020 | 3.13 MWh | 4.88 MWh |
| 2021 | 3.24 MWh | 4.92 MWh |
| 2022 | 3.28 MWh | 4.70 MWh |
| 2023 | 3.43 MWh | 4.60 MWh |
| 2024 | 3.57 MWh | 4.59 MWh |
| 2025 | 3.58 MWh | 4.62 MWh |
Brazil history · United Kingdom history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.