Italy vs Switzerland: Electricity Compared
Italy generated 266 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Switzerland 65.0 TWh, according to Ember. Italy's largest source was gas (47.3%); Switzerland's was hydro (52.3%). Each kWh generated emitted 284 gCO2/kWh in Italy and 39 gCO2/kWh in Switzerland. 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 47.3% of Italy's electricity in 2025, against 0.4% in Switzerland.
- Italy's electricity was 7.3 times as carbon intensive as Switzerland's in 2025, at 284 gCO2/kWh against 39 gCO2/kWh.
- Carbon intensity rose 7% in Switzerland between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 15% in Italy.
- Low carbon sources supplied 48.8% of Italy's electricity in 2025 and 97.7% of Switzerland's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 313 TWh in Italy and 65.1 TWh in Switzerland.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Italy | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 266 TWh | 65.0 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 313 TWh | 65.1 TWh |
| Demand per person | 5.27 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 284 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 75.6 MtCO2 | 2.54 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 48.8% | 97.7% |
| Largest source | Gas 47.3% | Hydro 52.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | Italy | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 15.8% | 52.3% |
| Gas | 47.3% | 0.4% |
| Nuclear | 0.0% | 29.9% |
| Solar | 16.8% | 12.1% |
| Wind | 8.1% | 0.2% |
| Bioenergy | 5.9% | 1.6% |
| Other fossil | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Other renewables | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Coal | 1.3% | 0.0% |
Carbon Intensity, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Italy | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 564 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1991 | 534 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1992 | 527 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1993 | 518 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1994 | 518 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1995 | 542 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1996 | 525 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1997 | 520 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1998 | 520 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1999 | 501 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 2000 | 502 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 499 gCO2/kWh | 33 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 523 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 523 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 511 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 510 gCO2/kWh | 38 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 507 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 505 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 485 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 459 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 446 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 446 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 438 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 399 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 379 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 399 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 390 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 393 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 367 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 351 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 334 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 339 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 378 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 323 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 281 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 284 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Italy | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5.49 MWh | 8.22 MWh |
| 2001 | 5.59 MWh | 8.39 MWh |
| 2002 | 5.71 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
| 2003 | 5.84 MWh | 8.49 MWh |
| 2004 | 5.83 MWh | 8.56 MWh |
| 2005 | 5.88 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2006 | 5.97 MWh | 8.67 MWh |
| 2007 | 5.96 MWh | 8.53 MWh |
| 2008 | 5.90 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2009 | 5.53 MWh | 8.34 MWh |
| 2010 | 5.66 MWh | 8.51 MWh |
| 2011 | 5.70 MWh | 8.27 MWh |
| 2012 | 5.59 MWh | 8.24 MWh |
| 2013 | 5.41 MWh | 8.19 MWh |
| 2014 | 5.28 MWh | 7.89 MWh |
| 2015 | 5.38 MWh | 7.85 MWh |
| 2016 | 5.34 MWh | 7.76 MWh |
| 2017 | 5.46 MWh | 7.77 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.47 MWh | 7.60 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.46 MWh | 7.50 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.16 MWh | 7.28 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.50 MWh | 7.52 MWh |
| 2022 | 5.42 MWh | 7.38 MWh |
| 2023 | 5.26 MWh | 7.18 MWh |
| 2024 | 5.37 MWh | 7.17 MWh |
| 2025 | 5.27 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
Italy history · Switzerland history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.