India vs Iran: Electricity Compared
India generated 2,084 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Iran 399 TWh, according to Ember. India's largest source was coal (70.9%); Iran's was gas (73.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 671 gCO2/kWh in India 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 2.3% in India.
- Carbon intensity rose 4% in Iran between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 5% in India.
- The average person in Iran used 4.28 MWh of electricity in 2025, 3.0 times as much as in India (1.42 MWh).
- Low carbon sources supplied 26.5% of India's electricity in 2025 and 5.2% of Iran's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 2,086 TWh in India and 398 TWh in Iran.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | India | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 2,084 TWh | 399 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 2,086 TWh | 398 TWh |
| Demand per person | 1.42 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 671 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 1,399 MtCO2 | 262 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 26.5% | 5.2% |
| Largest source | Coal 70.9% | Gas 73.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | India | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 635 gCO2/kWh | 577 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 652 gCO2/kWh | 568 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 690 gCO2/kWh | 561 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 684 gCO2/kWh | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 686 gCO2/kWh | 597 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 679 gCO2/kWh | 599 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 683 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 700 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 713 gCO2/kWh | 592 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 705 gCO2/kWh | 629 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 723 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 738 gCO2/kWh | 619 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 738 gCO2/kWh | 645 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 720 gCO2/kWh | 641 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 729 gCO2/kWh | 659 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 740 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 747 gCO2/kWh | 668 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 756 gCO2/kWh | 652 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 758 gCO2/kWh | 649 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 724 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 734 gCO2/kWh | 636 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 723 gCO2/kWh | 625 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 718 gCO2/kWh | 631 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 733 gCO2/kWh | 662 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 745 gCO2/kWh | 667 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 661 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 722 gCO2/kWh | 654 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 743 gCO2/kWh | 648 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 739 gCO2/kWh | 634 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 743 gCO2/kWh | 644 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 751 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 752 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 743 gCO2/kWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 738 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 723 gCO2/kWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 710 gCO2/kWh | 630 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 716 gCO2/kWh | 658 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 707 gCO2/kWh | 651 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 714 gCO2/kWh | 638 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 707 gCO2/kWh | 643 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 671 gCO2/kWh | 656 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | India | 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 | 0.54 MWh | 1.79 MWh |
| 2001 | 0.55 MWh | 1.89 MWh |
| 2002 | 0.56 MWh | 2.04 MWh |
| 2003 | 0.57 MWh | 2.21 MWh |
| 2004 | 0.62 MWh | 2.32 MWh |
| 2005 | 0.61 MWh | 2.46 MWh |
| 2006 | 0.64 MWh | 2.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 0.67 MWh | 2.71 MWh |
| 2008 | 0.69 MWh | 2.76 MWh |
| 2009 | 0.72 MWh | 2.85 MWh |
| 2010 | 0.76 MWh | 3.00 MWh |
| 2011 | 0.82 MWh | 2.94 MWh |
| 2012 | 0.86 MWh | 3.04 MWh |
| 2013 | 0.88 MWh | 3.12 MWh |
| 2014 | 0.96 MWh | 3.31 MWh |
| 2015 | 0.99 MWh | 3.36 MWh |
| 2016 | 1.04 MWh | 3.39 MWh |
| 2017 | 1.07 MWh | 3.54 MWh |
| 2018 | 1.14 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2019 | 1.15 MWh | 3.58 MWh |
| 2020 | 1.12 MWh | 3.77 MWh |
| 2021 | 1.19 MWh | 3.95 MWh |
| 2022 | 1.27 MWh | 4.03 MWh |
| 2023 | 1.33 MWh | 4.14 MWh |
| 2024 | 1.40 MWh | 4.30 MWh |
| 2025 | 1.42 MWh | 4.28 MWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.