China vs Iran: Electricity Compared
China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Iran 399 TWh, according to Ember. China's largest source was coal (54.8%); Iran's was gas (73.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 528 gCO2/kWh in China 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 3.2% in China.
- Carbon intensity rose 4% in Iran between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 13% in China.
- Low carbon sources supplied 41.1% of China's electricity in 2025 and 5.2% of Iran's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 10,486 TWh in China and 398 TWh in Iran.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | China | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 10,506 TWh | 399 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 10,486 TWh | 398 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.46 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 528 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 5,550 MtCO2 | 262 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 41.1% | 5.2% |
| Largest source | Coal 54.8% | Gas 73.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | China | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 709 gCO2/kWh | 577 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 728 gCO2/kWh | 568 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 561 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 597 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 745 gCO2/kWh | 599 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 766 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 778 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 759 gCO2/kWh | 592 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 761 gCO2/kWh | 629 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 771 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 772 gCO2/kWh | 645 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 774 gCO2/kWh | 641 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 659 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 784 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 763 gCO2/kWh | 668 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 773 gCO2/kWh | 652 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 791 gCO2/kWh | 649 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 779 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 782 gCO2/kWh | 636 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 785 gCO2/kWh | 631 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 747 gCO2/kWh | 662 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 742 gCO2/kWh | 661 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 754 gCO2/kWh | 654 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 722 gCO2/kWh | 648 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 719 gCO2/kWh | 634 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 696 gCO2/kWh | 644 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 646 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 639 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 622 gCO2/kWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 609 gCO2/kWh | 630 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 602 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 590 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 586 gCO2/kWh | 638 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 559 gCO2/kWh | 643 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 528 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | China | 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 | 1.06 MWh | 1.79 MWh |
| 2001 | 1.15 MWh | 1.89 MWh |
| 2002 | 1.28 MWh | 2.04 MWh |
| 2003 | 1.47 MWh | 2.21 MWh |
| 2004 | 1.69 MWh | 2.32 MWh |
| 2005 | 1.90 MWh | 2.46 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.17 MWh | 2.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.47 MWh | 2.71 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.61 MWh | 2.76 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.76 MWh | 2.85 MWh |
| 2010 | 3.10 MWh | 3.00 MWh |
| 2011 | 3.46 MWh | 2.94 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.63 MWh | 3.04 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.93 MWh | 3.12 MWh |
| 2014 | 4.17 MWh | 3.31 MWh |
| 2015 | 4.16 MWh | 3.36 MWh |
| 2016 | 4.36 MWh | 3.39 MWh |
| 2017 | 4.67 MWh | 3.54 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.04 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.26 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.44 MWh | 3.77 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.97 MWh | 3.95 MWh |
| 2022 | 6.20 MWh | 4.03 MWh |
| 2023 | 6.64 MWh | 4.14 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.10 MWh | 4.30 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.46 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.