Built 2026-09-19 (19 September 2026)

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
MeasureTaiwanUnited States
Total generation289 TWh4,520 TWh
Electricity demand289 TWh4,532 TWh
Demand per person12.50 MWh13.06 MWh
Carbon intensity634 gCO2/kWh384 gCO2/kWh
Power sector emissions183 MtCO21,737 MtCO2
Low carbon share13.5%43.0%
Largest sourceGas 48.8%Gas 40.0%

Generation Mix, 2025

Share of generation
SourceTaiwanUnited 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 statistics
Carbon intensity of electricity in Taiwan and United States, 1985 to 2025 Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Taiwan and the United States each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 634 gCO2/kWh in Taiwan and 384 gCO2/kWh in the United States. 0 200 400 600 800 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Taiwan and the United States each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 634 gCO2/kWh in Taiwan and 384 gCO2/kWh in the United States.
Annual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
Carbon intensity of electricity in Taiwan and United States, 1985 to 2025
YearTaiwanUnited States
1985331 gCO2/kWhn/a
1986411 gCO2/kWhn/a
1987393 gCO2/kWhn/a
1988449 gCO2/kWhn/a
1989494 gCO2/kWhn/a
1990456 gCO2/kWhn/a
1991485 gCO2/kWhn/a
1992510 gCO2/kWhn/a
1993553 gCO2/kWhn/a
1994561 gCO2/kWhn/a
1995570 gCO2/kWhn/a
1996584 gCO2/kWhn/a
1997602 gCO2/kWhn/a
1998606 gCO2/kWhn/a
1999612 gCO2/kWhn/a
2000635 gCO2/kWh608 gCO2/kWh
2001654 gCO2/kWh610 gCO2/kWh
2002654 gCO2/kWh601 gCO2/kWh
2003666 gCO2/kWh606 gCO2/kWh
2004664 gCO2/kWh602 gCO2/kWh
2005665 gCO2/kWh604 gCO2/kWh
2006670 gCO2/kWh595 gCO2/kWh
2007670 gCO2/kWh598 gCO2/kWh
2008660 gCO2/kWh591 gCO2/kWh
2009658 gCO2/kWh565 gCO2/kWh
2010653 gCO2/kWh571 gCO2/kWh
2011653 gCO2/kWh551 gCO2/kWh
2012650 gCO2/kWh533 gCO2/kWh
2013644 gCO2/kWh533 gCO2/kWh
2014646 gCO2/kWh529 gCO2/kWh
2015650 gCO2/kWh505 gCO2/kWh
2016659 gCO2/kWh483 gCO2/kWh
2017685 gCO2/kWh469 gCO2/kWh
2018673 gCO2/kWh463 gCO2/kWh
2019649 gCO2/kWh439 gCO2/kWh
2020648 gCO2/kWh412 gCO2/kWh
2021652 gCO2/kWh424 gCO2/kWh
2022639 gCO2/kWh410 gCO2/kWh
2023644 gCO2/kWh393 gCO2/kWh
2024635 gCO2/kWh384 gCO2/kWh
2025634 gCO2/kWh384 gCO2/kWh

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Electricity demand per person in Taiwan and United States, 1985 to 2025 Electricity demand per person in Taiwan and the United States each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 12.50 MWh in Taiwan and 13.06 MWh in the United States. 0 4 8 11 15 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Electricity demand per person in Taiwan and the United States each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 12.50 MWh in Taiwan and 13.06 MWh in the United States.
Annual statistics through 2025, MWh
Electricity demand per person in Taiwan and United States, 1985 to 2025
YearTaiwanUnited States
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
20008.28 MWh13.63 MWh
20018.40 MWh13.19 MWh
20028.81 MWh13.46 MWh
20039.22 MWh13.37 MWh
20049.60 MWh13.54 MWh
20059.97 MWh13.73 MWh
200610.28 MWh13.61 MWh
200710.57 MWh13.83 MWh
200810.32 MWh13.58 MWh
20099.93 MWh12.90 MWh
201010.64 MWh13.31 MWh
201110.83 MWh13.14 MWh
201210.72 MWh12.89 MWh
201310.78 MWh12.85 MWh
201411.08 MWh12.84 MWh
201510.97 MWh12.73 MWh
201611.20 MWh12.62 MWh
201711.44 MWh12.37 MWh
201811.65 MWh12.67 MWh
201911.58 MWh12.43 MWh
202011.83 MWh12.05 MWh
202112.35 MWh12.33 MWh
202212.31 MWh12.67 MWh
202312.11 MWh12.44 MWh
202412.43 MWh12.75 MWh
202512.50 MWh13.06 MWh

Taiwan history · United States history

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