Russia vs South Korea: Electricity Compared

Russia generated 1,194 TWh of electricity in 2025 and South Korea 625 TWh, according to Ember. Russia's largest source was gas (45.6%); South Korea's was coal (31.1%). Each kWh generated emitted 447 gCO2/kWh in Russia 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

Gas supplied 45.6% of Russia's electricity in 2025, against 28.0% in South Korea.
Carbon intensity rose 7% in Russia between 2020 and 2025, while it fell 9% in South Korea.
Low carbon sources supplied 35.7% of Russia's electricity in 2025 and 39.9% of South Korea's.
Electricity demand in 2025 was 1,178 TWh in Russia and 625 TWh in South Korea.

Key Figures, 2025

Ember annual statistics

Measure	Russia	South Korea
Total generation	1,194 TWh	625 TWh
Electricity demand	1,178 TWh	625 TWh
Demand per person	8.17 MWh	12.09 MWh
Carbon intensity	447 gCO2/kWh	417 gCO2/kWh
Power sector emissions	534 MtCO2	261 MtCO2
Low carbon share	35.7%	39.9%
Largest source	Gas 45.6%	Coal 31.1%

Generation Mix, 2025

Share of generation

Source	Russia	South Korea
Gas	45.6%	28.0%
Coal	17.7%	31.1%
Nuclear	18.3%	29.6%
Hydro	16.7%	0.6%
Solar	0.2%	6.1%
Bioenergy	0.1%	3.2%
Other fossil	1.0%	1.0%
Wind	0.3%	0.6%

Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics

Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Russia and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 447 gCO2/kWh in Russia and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea.

Annual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh

Carbon intensity of electricity in Russia and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
Year	Russia	South Korea
1985	492 gCO2/kWh	524 gCO2/kWh
1986	492 gCO2/kWh	431 gCO2/kWh
1987	489 gCO2/kWh	345 gCO2/kWh
1988	486 gCO2/kWh	405 gCO2/kWh
1989	488 gCO2/kWh	383 gCO2/kWh
1990	496 gCO2/kWh	379 gCO2/kWh
1991	492 gCO2/kWh	399 gCO2/kWh
1992	483 gCO2/kWh	427 gCO2/kWh
1993	473 gCO2/kWh	451 gCO2/kWh
1994	481 gCO2/kWh	493 gCO2/kWh
1995	477 gCO2/kWh	479 gCO2/kWh
1996	482 gCO2/kWh	481 gCO2/kWh
1997	477 gCO2/kWh	492 gCO2/kWh
1998	482 gCO2/kWh	463 gCO2/kWh
1999	468 gCO2/kWh	453 gCO2/kWh
2000	470 gCO2/kWh	462 gCO2/kWh
2001	458 gCO2/kWh	475 gCO2/kWh
2002	463 gCO2/kWh	473 gCO2/kWh
2003	465 gCO2/kWh	458 gCO2/kWh
2004	454 gCO2/kWh	463 gCO2/kWh
2005	457 gCO2/kWh	450 gCO2/kWh
2006	463 gCO2/kWh	451 gCO2/kWh
2007	458 gCO2/kWh	474 gCO2/kWh
2008	475 gCO2/kWh	477 gCO2/kWh
2009	452 gCO2/kWh	495 gCO2/kWh
2010	458 gCO2/kWh	500 gCO2/kWh
2011	461 gCO2/kWh	497 gCO2/kWh
2012	462 gCO2/kWh	502 gCO2/kWh
2013	450 gCO2/kWh	512 gCO2/kWh
2014	449 gCO2/kWh	493 gCO2/kWh
2015	444 gCO2/kWh	488 gCO2/kWh
2016	443 gCO2/kWh	489 gCO2/kWh
2017	440 gCO2/kWh	511 gCO2/kWh
2018	439 gCO2/kWh	519 gCO2/kWh
2019	440 gCO2/kWh	497 gCO2/kWh
2020	418 gCO2/kWh	458 gCO2/kWh
2021	427 gCO2/kWh	460 gCO2/kWh
2022	443 gCO2/kWh	438 gCO2/kWh
2023	447 gCO2/kWh	427 gCO2/kWh
2024	444 gCO2/kWh	416 gCO2/kWh
2025	447 gCO2/kWh	417 gCO2/kWh

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics

Electricity demand per person in Russia and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 8.17 MWh in Russia and 12.09 MWh in South Korea.

Annual statistics through 2025, MWh

Electricity demand per person in Russia and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
Year	Russia	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	5.89 MWh	6.21 MWh
2001	5.99 MWh	6.59 MWh
2002	6.02 MWh	7.02 MWh
2003	6.19 MWh	7.32 MWh
2004	6.37 MWh	7.72 MWh
2005	6.51 MWh	8.14 MWh
2006	6.78 MWh	8.39 MWh
2007	6.99 MWh	8.83 MWh
2008	7.11 MWh	9.15 MWh
2009	6.80 MWh	9.32 MWh
2010	7.09 MWh	10.15 MWh
2011	7.17 MWh	10.55 MWh
2012	7.30 MWh	10.71 MWh
2013	7.23 MWh	10.73 MWh
2014	7.29 MWh	10.69 MWh
2015	7.27 MWh	10.75 MWh
2016	7.38 MWh	10.94 MWh
2017	7.39 MWh	11.20 MWh
2018	7.49 MWh	11.48 MWh
2019	7.51 MWh	11.34 MWh
2020	7.34 MWh	11.13 MWh
2021	7.79 MWh	11.72 MWh
2022	7.90 MWh	12.02 MWh
2023	7.99 MWh	11.93 MWh
2024	8.24 MWh	12.09 MWh
2025	8.17 MWh	12.09 MWh

Russia history · South Korea history

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

Russia vs South Korea: Electricity Compared

Key Facts

Key Figures, 2025

Generation Mix, 2025

Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

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