Taiwan vs United States: Electricity Compared
Taiwan generated 289 TWh of electricity in 2025 and the United States 4,520 TWh, according to Ember. Gas was the largest source in both, at 48.8% in Taiwan and 40.0% in the United States. Each kWh generated emitted 634 gCO2/kWh in Taiwan and 384 gCO2/kWh in the United States. 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 36.1% of Taiwan's electricity in 2025, against 16.3% in the United States.
- Taiwan's electricity was 1.6 times as carbon intensive as the United States' in 2025, at 634 gCO2/kWh against 384 gCO2/kWh.
- Low carbon sources supplied 13.5% of Taiwan's electricity in 2025 and 43.0% of the United States'.
- Electricity demand in 2025 was 289 TWh in Taiwan and 4,532 TWh in the United States.
Key Figures, 2025
Ember annual statistics| Measure | Taiwan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 289 TWh | 4,520 TWh |
| Electricity demand | 289 TWh | 4,532 TWh |
| Demand per person | 12.50 MWh | 13.06 MWh |
| Carbon intensity | 634 gCO2/kWh | 384 gCO2/kWh |
| Power sector emissions | 183 MtCO2 | 1,737 MtCO2 |
| Low carbon share | 13.5% | 43.0% |
| Largest source | Gas 48.8% | Gas 40.0% |
Generation Mix, 2025
Share of generation| Source | Taiwan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 48.8% | 40.0% |
| Coal | 36.1% | 16.3% |
| Nuclear | 1.1% | 17.4% |
| Wind | 4.2% | 10.3% |
| Solar | 5.5% | 8.6% |
| Hydro | 1.9% | 5.4% |
| Other fossil | 1.5% | 0.7% |
| Bioenergy | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Other renewables | 0.0% | 0.4% |
Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
| Year | Taiwan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 331 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1986 | 411 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1987 | 393 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1988 | 449 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1989 | 494 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1990 | 456 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1991 | 485 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1992 | 510 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1993 | 553 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1994 | 561 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1995 | 570 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1996 | 584 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1997 | 602 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1998 | 606 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 1999 | 612 gCO2/kWh | n/a |
| 2000 | 635 gCO2/kWh | 608 gCO2/kWh |
| 2001 | 654 gCO2/kWh | 610 gCO2/kWh |
| 2002 | 654 gCO2/kWh | 601 gCO2/kWh |
| 2003 | 666 gCO2/kWh | 606 gCO2/kWh |
| 2004 | 664 gCO2/kWh | 602 gCO2/kWh |
| 2005 | 665 gCO2/kWh | 604 gCO2/kWh |
| 2006 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 595 gCO2/kWh |
| 2007 | 670 gCO2/kWh | 598 gCO2/kWh |
| 2008 | 660 gCO2/kWh | 591 gCO2/kWh |
| 2009 | 658 gCO2/kWh | 565 gCO2/kWh |
| 2010 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 571 gCO2/kWh |
| 2011 | 653 gCO2/kWh | 551 gCO2/kWh |
| 2012 | 650 gCO2/kWh | 533 gCO2/kWh |
| 2013 | 644 gCO2/kWh | 533 gCO2/kWh |
| 2014 | 646 gCO2/kWh | 529 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 650 gCO2/kWh | 505 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 659 gCO2/kWh | 483 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 685 gCO2/kWh | 469 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 673 gCO2/kWh | 463 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 649 gCO2/kWh | 439 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 648 gCO2/kWh | 412 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 652 gCO2/kWh | 424 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 639 gCO2/kWh | 410 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 644 gCO2/kWh | 393 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 635 gCO2/kWh | 384 gCO2/kWh |
| 2025 | 634 gCO2/kWh | 384 gCO2/kWh |
Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025
Ember annual statisticsAnnual statistics through 2025, MWh
| Year | Taiwan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8.28 MWh | 13.63 MWh |
| 2001 | 8.40 MWh | 13.19 MWh |
| 2002 | 8.81 MWh | 13.46 MWh |
| 2003 | 9.22 MWh | 13.37 MWh |
| 2004 | 9.60 MWh | 13.54 MWh |
| 2005 | 9.97 MWh | 13.73 MWh |
| 2006 | 10.28 MWh | 13.61 MWh |
| 2007 | 10.57 MWh | 13.83 MWh |
| 2008 | 10.32 MWh | 13.58 MWh |
| 2009 | 9.93 MWh | 12.90 MWh |
| 2010 | 10.64 MWh | 13.31 MWh |
| 2011 | 10.83 MWh | 13.14 MWh |
| 2012 | 10.72 MWh | 12.89 MWh |
| 2013 | 10.78 MWh | 12.85 MWh |
| 2014 | 11.08 MWh | 12.84 MWh |
| 2015 | 10.97 MWh | 12.73 MWh |
| 2016 | 11.20 MWh | 12.62 MWh |
| 2017 | 11.44 MWh | 12.37 MWh |
| 2018 | 11.65 MWh | 12.67 MWh |
| 2019 | 11.58 MWh | 12.43 MWh |
| 2020 | 11.83 MWh | 12.05 MWh |
| 2021 | 12.35 MWh | 12.33 MWh |
| 2022 | 12.31 MWh | 12.67 MWh |
| 2023 | 12.11 MWh | 12.44 MWh |
| 2024 | 12.43 MWh | 12.75 MWh |
| 2025 | 12.50 MWh | 13.06 MWh |
Taiwan history · United States history
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.