China vs Kazakhstan: Electricity Compared
China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Kazakhstan 124 TWh, according to Ember. Coal was the largest source in both, at 54.8% in China and 58.3% in Kazakhstan. Each kWh generated emitted 528 gCO2/kWh in China and 813 gCO2/kWh in Kazakhstan. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.
Why this comparison: neighbours by land border or interconnector.
Key Facts
- Gas supplied 27.1% of Kazakhstan's electricity in 2025, against 3.2% in China.
- Kazakhstan's electricity was 1.5 times as carbon intensive as China's in 2025, at 813 gCO2/kWh against 528 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 41.1% of China's electricity in 2025 and 14.2% of Kazakhstan's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 10,486 TWh in China and 126 TWh in Kazakhstan.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | China | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 10,506 TWh | 124 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 10,486 TWh | 126 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.46 MWh | 6.05 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 528 gCO2/kWh | 813 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 5,550 MtCO2 | 101 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 41.1% | 14.2% |
| Largest source | Coal 54.8% | Coal 58.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | China | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 709 gCO2/kWh | 841 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 728 gCO2/kWh | 848 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 841 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 828 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 825 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 745 gCO2/kWh | 824 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 766 gCO2/kWh | 821 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 778 gCO2/kWh | 823 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 759 gCO2/kWh | 809 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 761 gCO2/kWh | 776 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 792 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 771 gCO2/kWh | 791 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 772 gCO2/kWh | 787 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 774 gCO2/kWh | 792 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 791 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 784 gCO2/kWh | 781 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 763 gCO2/kWh | 784 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 773 gCO2/kWh | 775 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 791 gCO2/kWh | 794 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 779 gCO2/kWh | 813 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 782 gCO2/kWh | 812 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 805 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 785 gCO2/kWh | 803 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 747 gCO2/kWh | 832 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 849 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 742 gCO2/kWh | 836 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 754 gCO2/kWh | 842 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 722 gCO2/kWh | 853 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 719 gCO2/kWh | 855 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 696 gCO2/kWh | 850 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 835 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 813 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 646 gCO2/kWh | 831 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 639 gCO2/kWh | 840 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 622 gCO2/kWh | 839 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 609 gCO2/kWh | 835 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 602 gCO2/kWh | 831 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 590 gCO2/kWh | 832 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 586 gCO2/kWh | 825 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 559 gCO2/kWh | 806 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 528 gCO2/kWh | 813 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | China | Kazakhstan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3.53 MWh |
| 2001 | 1.15 MWh | 3.67 MWh |
| 2002 | 1.28 MWh | 3.75 MWh |
| 2003 | 1.47 MWh | 3.96 MWh |
| 2004 | 1.69 MWh | 4.09 MWh |
| 2005 | 1.90 MWh | 4.25 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.17 MWh | 4.46 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.47 MWh | 4.72 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.61 MWh | 4.91 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.76 MWh | 4.70 MWh |
| 2010 | 3.10 MWh | 4.98 MWh |
| 2011 | 3.46 MWh | 5.12 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.63 MWh | 5.31 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.93 MWh | 5.23 MWh |
| 2014 | 4.17 MWh | 5.25 MWh |
| 2015 | 4.16 MWh | 5.07 MWh |
| 2016 | 4.36 MWh | 5.09 MWh |
| 2017 | 4.67 MWh | 5.30 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.04 MWh | 5.48 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.26 MWh | 5.38 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.44 MWh | 5.54 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.97 MWh | 5.80 MWh |
| 2022 | 6.20 MWh | 5.74 MWh |
| 2023 | 6.64 MWh | 5.69 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.10 MWh | 5.87 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.46 MWh | 6.05 MWh |
China history · Kazakhstan history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.