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Data as of 2025
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Built 2026-09-19 (19 September 2026)

Canada vs China: Electricity Compared

Canada generated 652 TWh of electricity in 2025 and China 10,506 TWh, according to Ember. Canada's largest source was hydro (52.8%); China's was coal (54.8%). Each kWh generated emitted 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 528 gCO2/kWh in China. 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 54.8% of China's electricity in 2025, against 4.0% in Canada.
  • China's electricity was 2.8 times as carbon intensive as Canada's in 2025, at 528 gCO2/kWh against 191 gCO2/kWh.
  • Carbon intensity rose 18% in Canada between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 13% in China.
  • The average person in Canada used 16.09 MWh of electricity in 2025, 2.2 times as much as in China (7.46 MWh).
  • Low carbon sources supplied 77.0% of Canada's electricity in 2025 and 41.1% of China's.
  • Electricity demand in 2025 was 646 TWh in Canada and 10,486 TWh in China.

Key Figures, 2025

Ember annual statistics
MeasureCanadaChina
Total generation652 TWh10,506 TWh
Electricity demand646 TWh10,486 TWh
Demand per person16.09 MWh7.46 MWh
Carbon intensity191 gCO2/kWh528 gCO2/kWh
Power sector emissions124 MtCO25,550 MtCO2
Low carbon share77.0%41.1%
Largest sourceHydro 52.8%Coal 54.8%

Generation Mix, 2025

Share of generation
SourceCanadaChina
Coal 4.0% 54.8%
Hydro 52.8% 13.3%
Gas 17.9% 3.2%
Nuclear 13.1% 4.6%
Solar 1.6% 11.2%
Wind 7.9% 10.7%
Bioenergy 1.6% 1.3%
Other fossil 1.2% 0.9%

Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Carbon intensity of electricity in Canada and China, 1985 to 2025 Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Canada and China each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 528 gCO2/kWh in China. 0 200 400 600 800 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Canada and China each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 191 gCO2/kWh in Canada and 528 gCO2/kWh in China.
Annual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
Carbon intensity of electricity in Canada and China, 1985 to 2025
YearCanadaChina
1985191 gCO2/kWh709 gCO2/kWh
1986172 gCO2/kWh728 gCO2/kWh
1987190 gCO2/kWh739 gCO2/kWh
1988206 gCO2/kWh740 gCO2/kWh
1989225 gCO2/kWh740 gCO2/kWh
1990206 gCO2/kWh745 gCO2/kWh
1991202 gCO2/kWh766 gCO2/kWh
1992209 gCO2/kWh778 gCO2/kWh
1993191 gCO2/kWh759 gCO2/kWh
1994188 gCO2/kWh761 gCO2/kWh
1995199 gCO2/kWh753 gCO2/kWh
1996192 gCO2/kWh771 gCO2/kWh
1997213 gCO2/kWh772 gCO2/kWh
1998241 gCO2/kWh774 gCO2/kWh
1999235 gCO2/kWh787 gCO2/kWh
2000246 gCO2/kWh784 gCO2/kWh
2001256 gCO2/kWh763 gCO2/kWh
2002245 gCO2/kWh773 gCO2/kWh
2003252 gCO2/kWh791 gCO2/kWh
2004235 gCO2/kWh779 gCO2/kWh
2005225 gCO2/kWh782 gCO2/kWh
2006217 gCO2/kWh787 gCO2/kWh
2007228 gCO2/kWh785 gCO2/kWh
2008214 gCO2/kWh747 gCO2/kWh
2009204 gCO2/kWh753 gCO2/kWh
2010215 gCO2/kWh742 gCO2/kWh
2011206 gCO2/kWh754 gCO2/kWh
2012193 gCO2/kWh722 gCO2/kWh
2013187 gCO2/kWh719 gCO2/kWh
2014189 gCO2/kWh696 gCO2/kWh
2015184 gCO2/kWh670 gCO2/kWh
2016181 gCO2/kWh653 gCO2/kWh
2017172 gCO2/kWh646 gCO2/kWh
2018171 gCO2/kWh639 gCO2/kWh
2019170 gCO2/kWh622 gCO2/kWh
2020162 gCO2/kWh609 gCO2/kWh
2021165 gCO2/kWh602 gCO2/kWh
2022161 gCO2/kWh590 gCO2/kWh
2023174 gCO2/kWh586 gCO2/kWh
2024185 gCO2/kWh559 gCO2/kWh
2025191 gCO2/kWh528 gCO2/kWh

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Electricity demand per person in Canada and China, 1985 to 2025 Electricity demand per person in Canada and China each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 16.09 MWh in Canada and 7.46 MWh in China. 0 5 10 15 20 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Electricity demand per person in Canada and China each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 16.09 MWh in Canada and 7.46 MWh in China.
Annual statistics through 2025, MWh
Electricity demand per person in Canada and China, 1985 to 2025
YearCanadaChina
1985n/an/a
1986n/an/a
1987n/an/a
1988n/an/a
1989n/an/a
1990n/an/a
1991n/an/a
1992n/an/a
1993n/an/a
1994n/an/a
1995n/an/a
1996n/an/a
1997n/an/a
1998n/an/a
1999n/an/a
200018.39 MWh1.06 MWh
200118.12 MWh1.15 MWh
200218.34 MWh1.28 MWh
200318.30 MWh1.47 MWh
200418.30 MWh1.69 MWh
200518.39 MWh1.90 MWh
200617.99 MWh2.17 MWh
200718.23 MWh2.47 MWh
200818.03 MWh2.61 MWh
200917.15 MWh2.76 MWh
201017.02 MWh3.10 MWh
201117.41 MWh3.46 MWh
201216.89 MWh3.63 MWh
201317.11 MWh3.93 MWh
201417.04 MWh4.17 MWh
201516.73 MWh4.16 MWh
201616.60 MWh4.36 MWh
201716.49 MWh4.67 MWh
201816.44 MWh5.04 MWh
201916.11 MWh5.26 MWh
202015.67 MWh5.44 MWh
202115.74 MWh5.97 MWh
202215.79 MWh6.20 MWh
202315.61 MWh6.64 MWh
202415.71 MWh7.10 MWh
202516.09 MWh7.46 MWh

Canada history · China history

Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.