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Data as of 2025
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Built 2026-09-19 (19 September 2026)

Canada vs South Korea: Electricity Compared

Canada generated 652 TWh of electricity in 2025 and South Korea 625 TWh, according to Ember. Canada's largest source was hydro (52.8%); South Korea's was coal (31.1%). Each kWh generated emitted 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. 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 52.8% of Canada's electricity in 2025, against 0.6% in South Korea.
  • South Korea's electricity was 2.2 times as carbon intensive as Canada's in 2025, at 417 gCO2/kWh against 191 gCO2/kWh.
  • Carbon intensity rose 18% in Canada between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 9% in South Korea.
  • Low carbon sources supplied 77.0% of Canada's electricity in 2025 and 39.9% of South Korea's.
  • Electricity demand in 2025 was 646 TWh in Canada and 625 TWh in South Korea.

Key Figures, 2025

Ember annual statistics
MeasureCanadaSouth Korea
Total generation652 TWh625 TWh
Electricity demand646 TWh625 TWh
Demand per person16.09 MWh12.09 MWh
Carbon intensity191 gCO2/kWh417 gCO2/kWh
Power sector emissions124 MtCO2261 MtCO2
Low carbon share77.0%39.9%
Largest sourceHydro 52.8%Coal 31.1%

Generation Mix, 2025

Share of generation
SourceCanadaSouth Korea
Hydro 52.8% 0.6%
Coal 4.0% 31.1%
Nuclear 13.1% 29.6%
Gas 17.9% 28.0%
Wind 7.9% 0.6%
Solar 1.6% 6.1%
Bioenergy 1.6% 3.2%
Other fossil 1.2% 1.0%

Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Carbon intensity of electricity in Canada and South Korea, 1985 to 2025 Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Canada and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. 0 150 300 450 600 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Canada and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea.
Annual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
Carbon intensity of electricity in Canada and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
YearCanadaSouth Korea
1985191 gCO2/kWh524 gCO2/kWh
1986172 gCO2/kWh431 gCO2/kWh
1987190 gCO2/kWh345 gCO2/kWh
1988206 gCO2/kWh405 gCO2/kWh
1989225 gCO2/kWh383 gCO2/kWh
1990206 gCO2/kWh379 gCO2/kWh
1991202 gCO2/kWh399 gCO2/kWh
1992209 gCO2/kWh427 gCO2/kWh
1993191 gCO2/kWh451 gCO2/kWh
1994188 gCO2/kWh493 gCO2/kWh
1995199 gCO2/kWh479 gCO2/kWh
1996192 gCO2/kWh481 gCO2/kWh
1997213 gCO2/kWh492 gCO2/kWh
1998241 gCO2/kWh463 gCO2/kWh
1999235 gCO2/kWh453 gCO2/kWh
2000246 gCO2/kWh462 gCO2/kWh
2001256 gCO2/kWh475 gCO2/kWh
2002245 gCO2/kWh473 gCO2/kWh
2003252 gCO2/kWh458 gCO2/kWh
2004235 gCO2/kWh463 gCO2/kWh
2005225 gCO2/kWh450 gCO2/kWh
2006217 gCO2/kWh451 gCO2/kWh
2007228 gCO2/kWh474 gCO2/kWh
2008214 gCO2/kWh477 gCO2/kWh
2009204 gCO2/kWh495 gCO2/kWh
2010215 gCO2/kWh500 gCO2/kWh
2011206 gCO2/kWh497 gCO2/kWh
2012193 gCO2/kWh502 gCO2/kWh
2013187 gCO2/kWh512 gCO2/kWh
2014189 gCO2/kWh493 gCO2/kWh
2015184 gCO2/kWh488 gCO2/kWh
2016181 gCO2/kWh489 gCO2/kWh
2017172 gCO2/kWh511 gCO2/kWh
2018171 gCO2/kWh519 gCO2/kWh
2019170 gCO2/kWh497 gCO2/kWh
2020162 gCO2/kWh458 gCO2/kWh
2021165 gCO2/kWh460 gCO2/kWh
2022161 gCO2/kWh438 gCO2/kWh
2023174 gCO2/kWh427 gCO2/kWh
2024185 gCO2/kWh416 gCO2/kWh
2025191 gCO2/kWh417 gCO2/kWh

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Electricity demand per person in Canada and South Korea, 1985 to 2025 Electricity demand per person in Canada and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 16.09 MWh in Canada and 12.09 MWh in South Korea. 0 5 10 15 20 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Electricity demand per person in Canada and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 16.09 MWh in Canada and 12.09 MWh in South Korea.
Annual statistics through 2025, MWh
Electricity demand per person in Canada and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
YearCanadaSouth Korea
1985n/an/a
1986n/an/a
1987n/an/a
1988n/an/a
1989n/an/a
1990n/an/a
1991n/an/a
1992n/an/a
1993n/an/a
1994n/an/a
1995n/an/a
1996n/an/a
1997n/an/a
1998n/an/a
1999n/an/a
200018.39 MWh6.21 MWh
200118.12 MWh6.59 MWh
200218.34 MWh7.02 MWh
200318.30 MWh7.32 MWh
200418.30 MWh7.72 MWh
200518.39 MWh8.14 MWh
200617.99 MWh8.39 MWh
200718.23 MWh8.83 MWh
200818.03 MWh9.15 MWh
200917.15 MWh9.32 MWh
201017.02 MWh10.15 MWh
201117.41 MWh10.55 MWh
201216.89 MWh10.71 MWh
201317.11 MWh10.73 MWh
201417.04 MWh10.69 MWh
201516.73 MWh10.75 MWh
201616.60 MWh10.94 MWh
201716.49 MWh11.20 MWh
201816.44 MWh11.48 MWh
201916.11 MWh11.34 MWh
202015.67 MWh11.13 MWh
202115.74 MWh11.72 MWh
202215.79 MWh12.02 MWh
202315.61 MWh11.93 MWh
202415.71 MWh12.09 MWh
202516.09 MWh12.09 MWh

Canada history · South Korea history

Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.