China vs Russia: Electricity Compared
China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Russia 1,194 TWh, according to Ember. China's largest source was coal (54.8%); Russia's was gas (45.6%). Each kWh generated emitted 528 gCO2/kWh in China and 447 gCO2/kWh in Russia. 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 and both among the 20 largest electricity users.
Key Facts
- Gas supplied 45.6% of Russia's electricity in 2025, against 3.2% in China.
- Carbon intensity rose 7% in Russia between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 13% in China.
- Low carbon sources supplied 41.1% of China's electricity in 2025 and 35.7% of Russia's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 10,486 TWh in China and 1,178 TWh in Russia.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | China | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 10,506 TWh | 1,194 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 10,486 TWh | 1,178 TWh |
| Demand per person | 7.46 MWh | 8.17 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 528 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 5,550 MtCO2 | 534 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 41.1% | 35.7% |
| Largest source | Coal 54.8% | Gas 45.6% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | China | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 709 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 728 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 489 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 486 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 488 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 745 gCO2/kWh | 496 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 766 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 778 gCO2/kWh | 483 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 759 gCO2/kWh | 473 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 761 gCO2/kWh | 481 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 771 gCO2/kWh | 482 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 772 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 774 gCO2/kWh | 482 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 468 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 784 gCO2/kWh | 470 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 763 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 773 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 791 gCO2/kWh | 465 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 779 gCO2/kWh | 454 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 782 gCO2/kWh | 457 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 787 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 785 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 747 gCO2/kWh | 475 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 753 gCO2/kWh | 452 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 742 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 754 gCO2/kWh | 461 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 722 gCO2/kWh | 462 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 719 gCO2/kWh | 450 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 696 gCO2/kWh | 449 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 444 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 443 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 646 gCO2/kWh | 440 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 639 gCO2/kWh | 439 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 622 gCO2/kWh | 440 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 609 gCO2/kWh | 418 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 602 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 590 gCO2/kWh | 443 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 586 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 559 gCO2/kWh | 444 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 528 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | China | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5.89 MWh |
| 2001 | 1.15 MWh | 5.99 MWh |
| 2002 | 1.28 MWh | 6.02 MWh |
| 2003 | 1.47 MWh | 6.19 MWh |
| 2004 | 1.69 MWh | 6.37 MWh |
| 2005 | 1.90 MWh | 6.51 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.17 MWh | 6.78 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.47 MWh | 6.99 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.61 MWh | 7.11 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.76 MWh | 6.80 MWh |
| 2010 | 3.10 MWh | 7.09 MWh |
| 2011 | 3.46 MWh | 7.17 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.63 MWh | 7.30 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.93 MWh | 7.23 MWh |
| 2014 | 4.17 MWh | 7.29 MWh |
| 2015 | 4.16 MWh | 7.27 MWh |
| 2016 | 4.36 MWh | 7.38 MWh |
| 2017 | 4.67 MWh | 7.39 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.04 MWh | 7.49 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.26 MWh | 7.51 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.44 MWh | 7.34 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.97 MWh | 7.79 MWh |
| 2022 | 6.20 MWh | 7.90 MWh |
| 2023 | 6.64 MWh | 7.99 MWh |
| 2024 | 7.10 MWh | 8.24 MWh |
| 2025 | 7.46 MWh | 8.17 MWh |
China history · Russia history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.