Japan vs United Kingdom: Electricity Compared
Japan generated 1,030 TWh of electricity in 2025 and the United Kingdom 295 TWh, according to Ember. Gas was the largest source in both, at 32.8% in Japan and 31.2% in the United Kingdom. Each kWh generated emitted 477 gCO2/kWh in Japan and 222 gCO2/kWh in the United Kingdom. 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
- Coal supplied 32.1% of Japan's electricity in 2025, against 0.6% in the United Kingdom.
- Japan's electricity was 2.1 times as carbon intensive as the United Kingdom's in 2025, at 477 gCO2/kWh against 222 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 32.7% of Japan's electricity in 2025 and 63.8% of the United Kingdom's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 1,030 TWh in Japan and 313 TWh in the United Kingdom.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Japan | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 1,030 TWh | 295 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 1,030 TWh | 313 TWh |
| Demand per person | 8.37 MWh | 4.62 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 477 gCO2/kWh | 222 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 492 MtCO2 | 65.5 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 32.7% | 63.8% |
| Largest source | Gas 32.8% | Gas 31.2% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Japan | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 421 gCO2/kWh | 694 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 417 gCO2/kWh | 721 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 417 gCO2/kWh | 737 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 427 gCO2/kWh | 710 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 429 gCO2/kWh | 689 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 447 gCO2/kWh | 705 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 438 gCO2/kWh | 700 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 445 gCO2/kWh | 665 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 419 gCO2/kWh | 608 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 444 gCO2/kWh | 589 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 424 gCO2/kWh | 579 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 423 gCO2/kWh | 557 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 408 gCO2/kWh | 512 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 404 gCO2/kWh | 510 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 419 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 424 gCO2/kWh | 522 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 424 gCO2/kWh | 529 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 434 gCO2/kWh | 521 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 476 gCO2/kWh | 537 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 450 gCO2/kWh | 536 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 462 gCO2/kWh | 535 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 447 gCO2/kWh | 559 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 470 gCO2/kWh | 556 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 485 gCO2/kWh | 554 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 460 gCO2/kWh | 505 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 447 gCO2/kWh | 517 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 505 gCO2/kWh | 500 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 595 gCO2/kWh | 537 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 596 gCO2/kWh | 507 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 592 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 578 gCO2/kWh | 398 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 567 gCO2/kWh | 333 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 558 gCO2/kWh | 302 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 542 gCO2/kWh | 286 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 529 gCO2/kWh | 268 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 528 gCO2/kWh | 243 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 515 gCO2/kWh | 267 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 520 gCO2/kWh | 255 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 493 gCO2/kWh | 236 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 484 gCO2/kWh | 216 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 477 gCO2/kWh | 222 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Japan | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8.66 MWh | 6.63 MWh |
| 2001 | 8.51 MWh | 6.67 MWh |
| 2002 | 8.65 MWh | 6.65 MWh |
| 2003 | 8.56 MWh | 6.69 MWh |
| 2004 | 8.77 MWh | 6.67 MWh |
| 2005 | 9.01 MWh | 6.71 MWh |
| 2006 | 9.10 MWh | 6.63 MWh |
| 2007 | 9.21 MWh | 6.53 MWh |
| 2008 | 9.24 MWh | 6.45 MWh |
| 2009 | 8.69 MWh | 6.07 MWh |
| 2010 | 9.02 MWh | 6.11 MWh |
| 2011 | 8.62 MWh | 5.89 MWh |
| 2012 | 8.65 MWh | 5.87 MWh |
| 2013 | 8.52 MWh | 5.79 MWh |
| 2014 | 8.34 MWh | 5.53 MWh |
| 2015 | 8.09 MWh | 5.51 MWh |
| 2016 | 8.37 MWh | 5.42 MWh |
| 2017 | 8.48 MWh | 5.32 MWh |
| 2018 | 8.53 MWh | 5.29 MWh |
| 2019 | 8.27 MWh | 5.19 MWh |
| 2020 | 8.01 MWh | 4.88 MWh |
| 2021 | 8.23 MWh | 4.92 MWh |
| 2022 | 8.33 MWh | 4.70 MWh |
| 2023 | 8.10 MWh | 4.60 MWh |
| 2024 | 8.21 MWh | 4.59 MWh |
| 2025 | 8.37 MWh | 4.62 MWh |
Japan history · United Kingdom history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.