Italy vs South Korea: Electricity Compared
Italy generated 266 TWh of electricity in 2025 and South Korea 625 TWh, according to Ember. Italy's largest source was gas (47.3%); South Korea's was coal (31.1%). Each kWh generated emitted 284 gCO2/kWh in Italy and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. 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 31.1% of South Korea's electricity in 2025, against 1.3% in Italy.
- The average person in South Korea used 12.09 MWh of electricity in 2025, 2.3 times as much as in Italy (5.27 MWh).
- Low carbon sources supplied 48.8% of Italy's electricity in 2025 and 39.9% of South Korea's.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 313 TWh in Italy and 625 TWh in South Korea.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 266 TWh | 625 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 313 TWh | 625 TWh |
| Demand per person | 5.27 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 284 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 75.6 MtCO2 | 261 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 48.8% | 39.9% |
| Largest source | Gas 47.3% | Coal 31.1% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 47.3% | 28.0% |
| Coal | 1.3% | 31.1% |
| Nuclear | 0.0% | 29.6% |
| Solar | 16.8% | 6.1% |
| Hydro | 15.8% | 0.6% |
| Wind | 8.1% | 0.6% |
| Bioenergy | 5.9% | 3.2% |
| Other fossil | 2.6% | 1.0% |
| Other renewables | 2.3% | 0.0% |
Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | n/a | 524 gCO2/kWh |
| 1986 | n/a | 431 gCO2/kWh |
| 1987 | n/a | 345 gCO2/kWh |
| 1988 | n/a | 405 gCO2/kWh |
| 1989 | n/a | 383 gCO2/kWh |
| 1990 | 564 gCO2/kWh | 379 gCO2/kWh |
| 1991 | 534 gCO2/kWh | 399 gCO2/kWh |
| 1992 | 527 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 1993 | 518 gCO2/kWh | 451 gCO2/kWh |
| 1994 | 518 gCO2/kWh | 493 gCO2/kWh |
| 1995 | 542 gCO2/kWh | 479 gCO2/kWh |
| 1996 | 525 gCO2/kWh | 481 gCO2/kWh |
| 1997 | 520 gCO2/kWh | 492 gCO2/kWh |
| 1998 | 520 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 1999 | 501 gCO2/kWh | 453 gCO2/kWh |
| 2000 | 502 gCO2/kWh | 462 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 499 gCO2/kWh | 475 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 523 gCO2/kWh | 473 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 523 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 511 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 510 gCO2/kWh | 450 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 507 gCO2/kWh | 451 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 505 gCO2/kWh | 474 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 485 gCO2/kWh | 477 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 459 gCO2/kWh | 495 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 446 gCO2/kWh | 500 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 446 gCO2/kWh | 497 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 438 gCO2/kWh | 502 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 399 gCO2/kWh | 512 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 379 gCO2/kWh | 493 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 399 gCO2/kWh | 488 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 390 gCO2/kWh | 489 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 393 gCO2/kWh | 511 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 367 gCO2/kWh | 519 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 351 gCO2/kWh | 497 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 334 gCO2/kWh | 458 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 339 gCO2/kWh | 460 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 378 gCO2/kWh | 438 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 323 gCO2/kWh | 427 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 281 gCO2/kWh | 416 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 284 gCO2/kWh | 417 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5.49 MWh | 6.21 MWh |
| 2001 | 5.59 MWh | 6.59 MWh |
| 2002 | 5.71 MWh | 7.02 MWh |
| 2003 | 5.84 MWh | 7.32 MWh |
| 2004 | 5.83 MWh | 7.72 MWh |
| 2005 | 5.88 MWh | 8.14 MWh |
| 2006 | 5.97 MWh | 8.39 MWh |
| 2007 | 5.96 MWh | 8.83 MWh |
| 2008 | 5.90 MWh | 9.15 MWh |
| 2009 | 5.53 MWh | 9.32 MWh |
| 2010 | 5.66 MWh | 10.15 MWh |
| 2011 | 5.70 MWh | 10.55 MWh |
| 2012 | 5.59 MWh | 10.71 MWh |
| 2013 | 5.41 MWh | 10.73 MWh |
| 2014 | 5.28 MWh | 10.69 MWh |
| 2015 | 5.38 MWh | 10.75 MWh |
| 2016 | 5.34 MWh | 10.94 MWh |
| 2017 | 5.46 MWh | 11.20 MWh |
| 2018 | 5.47 MWh | 11.48 MWh |
| 2019 | 5.46 MWh | 11.34 MWh |
| 2020 | 5.16 MWh | 11.13 MWh |
| 2021 | 5.50 MWh | 11.72 MWh |
| 2022 | 5.42 MWh | 12.02 MWh |
| 2023 | 5.26 MWh | 11.93 MWh |
| 2024 | 5.37 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
| 2025 | 5.27 MWh | 12.09 MWh |
Italy history · South Korea history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.