Iran vs Japan: Electricity Compared
Iran generated 399 TWh of electricity in 2025 and Japan 1,030 TWh, according to Ember. Gas was the largest source in both, at 73.3% in Iran and 32.8% in Japan. Each kWh generated emitted 656 gCO2/kWh in Iran and 477 gCO2/kWh in Japan. 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
- Gas supplied 73.3% of Iran's electricity in 2025, against 32.8% in Japan.
- Carbon intensity rose 4% in Iran between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 10% in Japan.
- Low carbon sources supplied 5.2% of Iran's electricity in 2025 and 32.7% of Japan's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 398 TWh in Iran and 1,030 TWh in Japan.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Iran | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 399 TWh | 1,030 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 398 TWh | 1,030 TWh |
| Demand per person | 4.28 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 656 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 262 MtCO2 | 492 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 5.2% | 32.7% |
| Largest source | Gas 73.3% | Gas 32.8% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generationCarbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Iran | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 577 gCO2/kWh | 421 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | 568 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | 561 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | 565 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | 597 gCO2/kWh | 429 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 599 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 625 gCO2/kWh | 438 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 595 gCO2/kWh | 445 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 592 gCO2/kWh | 419 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 629 gCO2/kWh | 444 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 619 gCO2/kWh | 424 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 619 gCO2/kWh | 423 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 645 gCO2/kWh | 408 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 641 gCO2/kWh | 404 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 659 gCO2/kWh | 419 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 667 gCO2/kWh | 424 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 668 gCO2/kWh | 424 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 652 gCO2/kWh | 434 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 649 gCO2/kWh | 476 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 642 gCO2/kWh | 450 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 636 gCO2/kWh | 462 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 625 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 631 gCO2/kWh | 470 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 662 gCO2/kWh | 485 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 667 gCO2/kWh | 460 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 661 gCO2/kWh | 447 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 654 gCO2/kWh | 505 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 648 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 634 gCO2/kWh | 596 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 644 gCO2/kWh | 592 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 651 gCO2/kWh | 578 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 642 gCO2/kWh | 567 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 642 gCO2/kWh | 558 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 658 gCO2/kWh | 542 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 605 gCO2/kWh | 529 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 630 gCO2/kWh | 528 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 658 gCO2/kWh | 515 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 651 gCO2/kWh | 520 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 638 gCO2/kWh | 493 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 643 gCO2/kWh | 484 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 656 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Iran | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.79 MWh | 8.66 MWh |
| 2001 | 1.89 MWh | 8.51 MWh |
| 2002 | 2.04 MWh | 8.65 MWh |
| 2003 | 2.21 MWh | 8.56 MWh |
| 2004 | 2.32 MWh | 8.77 MWh |
| 2005 | 2.46 MWh | 9.01 MWh |
| 2006 | 2.63 MWh | 9.10 MWh |
| 2007 | 2.71 MWh | 9.21 MWh |
| 2008 | 2.76 MWh | 9.24 MWh |
| 2009 | 2.85 MWh | 8.69 MWh |
| 2010 | 3.00 MWh | 9.02 MWh |
| 2011 | 2.94 MWh | 8.62 MWh |
| 2012 | 3.04 MWh | 8.65 MWh |
| 2013 | 3.12 MWh | 8.52 MWh |
| 2014 | 3.31 MWh | 8.34 MWh |
| 2015 | 3.36 MWh | 8.09 MWh |
| 2016 | 3.39 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
| 2017 | 3.54 MWh | 8.48 MWh |
| 2018 | 3.58 MWh | 8.53 MWh |
| 2019 | 3.58 MWh | 8.27 MWh |
| 2020 | 3.77 MWh | 8.01 MWh |
| 2021 | 3.95 MWh | 8.23 MWh |
| 2022 | 4.03 MWh | 8.33 MWh |
| 2023 | 4.14 MWh | 8.10 MWh |
| 2024 | 4.30 MWh | 8.21 MWh |
| 2025 | 4.28 MWh | 8.37 MWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.