Portugal vs Switzerland: Electricity Compared
Portugal generated 51.1 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Switzerland 65.0 TWh, according to Ember. Hydro was the largest source in both, at 29.7% in Portugal and 52.3% in Switzerland. Each kWh generated emitted 128 gCO2/kWh in Portugal 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: similar electricity demand on the same continent.
Key Facts
- Nuclear supplied 29.9% of Switzerland's electricity in 2025, against none in Portugal.
- Portugal's electricity was 3.3 times as carbon intensive as Switzerland's in 2025, at 128 gCO2/kWh against 39 gCO2/kWh.
- Carbon intensity rose 7% in Switzerland between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 49% in Portugal.
- Low carbon sources supplied 80.9% of Portugal's electricity in 2025 and 97.7% of Switzerland's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 60.4 TWh in Portugal and 65.1 TWh in Switzerland.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Portugal | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 51.1 TWh | 65.0 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 60.4 TWh | 65.1 TWh |
| Demand per person | 5.80 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 128 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 6.53 MtCO2 | 2.54 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 80.9% | 97.7% |
| Largest source | Hydro 29.7% | Hydro 52.3% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | Portugal | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Hydro | 29.7% | 52.3% |
| Nuclear | 0.0% | 29.9% |
| Wind | 26.8% | 0.2% |
| Solar | 17.3% | 12.1% |
| Gas | 16.5% | 0.4% |
| Bioenergy | 6.6% | 1.6% |
| Other fossil | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Other renewables | 0.4% | 1.6% |
Carbon Intensity, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Portugal | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 540 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1991 | 553 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1992 | 650 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1993 | 582 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1994 | 540 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1995 | 607 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1996 | 482 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1997 | 513 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1998 | 515 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1999 | 607 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 2000 | 546 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 507 gCO2/kWh | 33 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 593 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 485 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 541 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 596 gCO2/kWh | 38 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 504 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 472 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 472 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 453 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 317 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 375 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 441 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 340 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 326 gCO2/kWh | 34 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 414 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 344 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 434 gCO2/kWh | 40 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 359 gCO2/kWh | 36 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 301 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 248 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 211 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 225 gCO2/kWh | 37 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 158 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 111 gCO2/kWh | 35 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 128 gCO2/kWh | 39 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1990 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Portugal | 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 | 4.29 MWh | 8.22 MWh |
| 2001 | 4.47 MWh | 8.39 MWh |
| 2002 | 4.56 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
| 2003 | 4.70 MWh | 8.49 MWh |
| 2004 | 4.88 MWh | 8.56 MWh |
| 2005 | 5.03 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2006 | 5.12 MWh | 8.67 MWh |
| 2007 | 5.14 MWh | 8.53 MWh |
| 2008 | 5.19 MWh | 8.63 MWh |
| 2009 | 5.12 MWh | 8.34 MWh |
| 2010 | 5.30 MWh | 8.51 MWh |
| 2011 | 5.17 MWh | 8.27 MWh |
| 2012 | 5.07 MWh | 8.24 MWh |
| 2013 | 5.08 MWh | 8.19 MWh |
| 2014 | 5.06 MWh | 7.89 MWh |
| 2015 | 5.15 MWh | 7.85 MWh |
| 2016 | 5.22 MWh | 7.76 MWh |
| 2017 | 5.32 MWh | 7.77 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.39 MWh | 7.60 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.32 MWh | 7.50 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.10 MWh | 7.28 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.19 MWh | 7.52 MWh |
| 2022 | 5.34 MWh | 7.38 MWh |
| 2023 | 5.40 MWh | 7.18 MWh |
| 2024 | 5.54 MWh | 7.17 MWh |
| 2025 | 5.80 MWh | 7.26 MWh |
Portugal history · Switzerland history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.