China vs Germany: Electricity Compared
China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Germany 497 TWh, according to Ember. China's largest source was coal (54.8%); Germany's was wind (26.6%). Each kWh generated emitted 528 gCO2/kWh in China and 334 gCO2/kWh in Germany. 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
- Coal supplied 54.8% of China's electricity in 2025, against 21.0% in Germany.
- China's electricity was 1.6 times as carbon intensive as Germany's in 2025, at 528 gCO2/kWh against 334 gCO2/kWh.
- Electricity demand rose 36% in China between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 6% in Germany.
- Low carbon sources supplied 41.1% of China's electricity in 2025 and 58.5% of Germany's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 10,486 TWh in China and 517 TWh in Germany.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | China | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 10,506 TWh | 497 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 10,486 TWh | 517 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.46 MWh | 6.19 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 528 gCO2/kWh | 334 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 5,550 MtCO2 | 166 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 41.1% | 58.5% |
| Largest source | Coal 54.8% | Wind 26.6% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | China | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 54.8% | 21.0% |
| Wind | 10.7% | 26.6% |
| Solar | 11.2% | 18.1% |
| Gas | 3.2% | 16.8% |
| Hydro | 13.3% | 3.7% |
| Bioenergy | 1.3% | 10.1% |
| Nuclear | 4.6% | 0.0% |
| Other fossil | 0.9% | 3.8% |
| Other renewables | 0.0% | 0.1% |
Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | China | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 709 gCO2/kWh | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 728 gCO2/kWh | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 745 gCO2/kWh | 622 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 766 gCO2/kWh | 628 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 778 gCO2/kWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 759 gCO2/kWh | 608 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 761 gCO2/kWh | 604 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 596 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 771 gCO2/kWh | 591 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 772 gCO2/kWh | 575 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 774 gCO2/kWh | 587 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 566 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 784 gCO2/kWh | 573 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 763 gCO2/kWh | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 773 gCO2/kWh | 570 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 791 gCO2/kWh | 570 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 779 gCO2/kWh | 555 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 782 gCO2/kWh | 546 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 536 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 785 gCO2/kWh | 552 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 747 gCO2/kWh | 525 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 522 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 742 gCO2/kWh | 517 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 754 gCO2/kWh | 530 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 722 gCO2/kWh | 534 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 719 gCO2/kWh | 538 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 696 gCO2/kWh | 522 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 504 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 498 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 646 gCO2/kWh | 470 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 639 gCO2/kWh | 455 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 622 gCO2/kWh | 392 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 609 gCO2/kWh | 356 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 602 gCO2/kWh | 395 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 590 gCO2/kWh | 420 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 586 gCO2/kWh | 364 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 559 gCO2/kWh | 340 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 528 gCO2/kWh | 334 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | China | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.06 MWh | 6.99 MWh |
| 2001 | 1.15 MWh | 7.11 MWh |
| 2002 | 1.28 MWh | 7.24 MWh |
| 2003 | 1.47 MWh | 7.29 MWh |
| 2004 | 1.69 MWh | 7.39 MWh |
| 2005 | 1.90 MWh | 7.42 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.17 MWh | 7.51 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.47 MWh | 7.56 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.61 MWh | 7.55 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.76 MWh | 7.11 MWh |
| 2010 | 3.10 MWh | 7.54 MWh |
| 2011 | 3.46 MWh | 7.44 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.63 MWh | 7.41 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.93 MWh | 7.37 MWh |
| 2014 | 4.17 MWh | 7.19 MWh |
| 2015 | 4.16 MWh | 7.20 MWh |
| 2016 | 4.36 MWh | 7.14 MWh |
| 2017 | 4.67 MWh | 7.12 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.04 MWh | 7.00 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.26 MWh | 6.79 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.44 MWh | 6.55 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.97 MWh | 6.69 MWh |
| 2022 | 6.20 MWh | 6.42 MWh |
| 2023 | 6.64 MWh | 6.10 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.10 MWh | 6.18 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.46 MWh | 6.19 MWh |
China history · Germany history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.