South Korea Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
South Korea generated 625 TWh of electricity in 2025, according to Ember. Coal was the largest source at 31.1%, followed by nuclear (29.6%) and gas (28.0%). Demand was 625 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 417 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through June 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- South Korea generated 625 TWh of electricity in 2025.
- Coal supplied 31.1% of South Korea's electricity in 2025.
- Nuclear supplied 29.6% of South Korea's electricity in 2025.
- Gas supplied 28.0% of South Korea's electricity in 2025.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 39.9% of South Korea's generation in 2025.
- The carbon intensity of South Korea's electricity was 417 gCO2/kWh in 2025.
- South Korea's carbon intensity in 2025 was 20% lower than in 1985, when it was 524 gCO2/kWh.
- South Korea had the 8th highest electricity demand among the 93 countries with Ember data for 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 625 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 625 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 12.09 MWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Net imports | 0 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 417 gCO2/kWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 261 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2025 data) | 8 of 93 | 2025 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2025
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 1985 to 2025Annual statistics through 2025, TWh
| Year | Coal | Nuclear | Gas | Solar | Bioenergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 25.0 TWh | 16.8 TWh | 60.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1986 | 25.6 TWh | 28.3 TWh | 50.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1987 | 24.6 TWh | 39.3 TWh | 9.91 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1988 | 30.5 TWh | 40.1 TWh | 11.4 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1989 | 31.6 TWh | 47.4 TWh | 10.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1990 | 34.5 TWh | 52.9 TWh | 12.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1991 | 37.7 TWh | 56.3 TWh | 13.5 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1992 | 43.2 TWh | 56.5 TWh | 19.9 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1993 | 54.5 TWh | 58.1 TWh | 19.3 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1994 | 66.1 TWh | 58.7 TWh | 18.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1995 | 73.5 TWh | 67.0 TWh | 29.8 TWh | 0 TWh | 250 GWh |
| 1996 | 83.3 TWh | 73.9 TWh | 35.4 TWh | 0 TWh | 400 GWh |
| 1997 | 95.4 TWh | 77.1 TWh | 42.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 80.0 GWh |
| 1998 | 104 TWh | 89.7 TWh | 28.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 1999 | 112 TWh | 103 TWh | 30.3 TWh | 0 TWh | 90.0 GWh |
| 2000 | 115 TWh | 109 TWh | 29.7 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 80.0 GWh |
| 2001 | 127 TWh | 112 TWh | 33.7 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 90.0 GWh |
| 2002 | 137 TWh | 119 TWh | 42.9 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 180 GWh |
| 2003 | 139 TWh | 130 TWh | 45.5 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 190 GWh |
| 2004 | 143 TWh | 131 TWh | 63.2 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 290 GWh |
| 2005 | 150 TWh | 147 TWh | 64.5 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 260 GWh |
| 2006 | 154 TWh | 149 TWh | 74.8 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 240 GWh |
| 2007 | 171 TWh | 143 TWh | 84.4 TWh | 70.0 GWh | 380 GWh |
| 2008 | 191 TWh | 151 TWh | 81.7 TWh | 280 GWh | 650 GWh |
| 2009 | 209 TWh | 148 TWh | 71.4 TWh | 570 GWh | 540 GWh |
| 2010 | 218 TWh | 149 TWh | 104 TWh | 770 GWh | 420 GWh |
| 2011 | 225 TWh | 155 TWh | 115 TWh | 920 GWh | 1.02 TWh |
| 2012 | 223 TWh | 150 TWh | 129 TWh | 1.13 TWh | 2.16 TWh |
| 2013 | 224 TWh | 139 TWh | 144 TWh | 1.67 TWh | 3.12 TWh |
| 2014 | 226 TWh | 156 TWh | 131 TWh | 2.69 TWh | 6.30 TWh |
| 2015 | 233 TWh | 165 TWh | 122 TWh | 4.23 TWh | 7.48 TWh |
| 2016 | 233 TWh | 162 TWh | 131 TWh | 5.52 TWh | 8.08 TWh |
| 2017 | 261 TWh | 148 TWh | 135 TWh | 7.74 TWh | 9.61 TWh |
| 2018 | 258 TWh | 134 TWh | 163 TWh | 10.2 TWh | 11.8 TWh |
| 2019 | 245 TWh | 146 TWh | 155 TWh | 14.2 TWh | 13.4 TWh |
| 2020 | 208 TWh | 160 TWh | 163 TWh | 19.3 TWh | 14.0 TWh |
| 2021 | 213 TWh | 158 TWh | 181 TWh | 24.7 TWh | 17.2 TWh |
| 2022 | 209 TWh | 176 TWh | 175 TWh | 30.7 TWh | 17.9 TWh |
| 2023 | 201 TWh | 180 TWh | 170 TWh | 33.2 TWh | 18.7 TWh |
| 2024 | 191 TWh | 189 TWh | 178 TWh | 32.7 TWh | 20.3 TWh |
| 2025 | 195 TWh | 185 TWh | 175 TWh | 37.8 TWh | 19.7 TWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 625 TWh | 625 TWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 625 TWh | 625 TWh | 416 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 617 TWh | 617 TWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 623 TWh | 623 TWh | 438 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 608 TWh | 608 TWh | 460 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 577 TWh | 577 TWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 587 TWh | 587 TWh | 497 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 593 TWh | 593 TWh | 519 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 576 TWh | 576 TWh | 511 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 561 TWh | 561 TWh | 489 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for South Korea, 1985 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.
Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through June 2026Monthly statistics through June 2026, TWh
| Month | Demand | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-07 | 54.1 TWh | 54.1 TWh |
| 2024-08 | 58.4 TWh | 58.4 TWh |
| 2024-09 | 50.4 TWh | 50.4 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 45.8 TWh | 45.8 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 45.4 TWh | 45.4 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 51.8 TWh | 51.8 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 52.0 TWh | 52.0 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 48.6 TWh | 48.6 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 48.1 TWh | 48.1 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 44.0 TWh | 44.0 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 45.0 TWh | 45.0 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 47.2 TWh | 47.2 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 56.6 TWh | 56.6 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 56.9 TWh | 56.9 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 50.3 TWh | 50.3 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 44.9 TWh | 44.9 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 45.3 TWh | 45.3 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 51.7 TWh | 51.7 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 54.9 TWh | 54.9 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 45.7 TWh | 45.7 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 47.7 TWh | 47.7 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 44.1 TWh | 44.1 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 45.2 TWh | 45.2 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 47.5 TWh | 47.5 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of June 2026.
South Korea Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in South Korea?
Coal was the largest source of electricity in South Korea in 2025, supplying 31.1% of generation, followed by nuclear (29.6%) and gas (28.0%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does South Korea use?
South Korea used 625 TWh of electricity in 2025, about 12.09 MWh per person.
How clean is South Korea's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in South Korea emitted 417 gCO2/kWh in 2025, and low carbon sources supplied 39.9% of generation. That is 9% below the world average of 459 gCO2/kWh.