China Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025, according to Ember. Coal was the largest source at 54.8%, followed by hydro (13.3%) and solar (11.2%). Demand was 10,486 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 528 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through July 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- China generated 10,506 TWh of electricity in 2025.
- Coal supplied 54.8% of China's electricity in 2025.
- Hydro supplied 13.3% of China's electricity in 2025.
- Solar supplied 11.2% of China's electricity in 2025.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 41.1% of China's generation in 2025.
- The carbon intensity of China's electricity was 528 gCO2/kWh in 2025.
- China's carbon intensity in 2025 was 26% lower than in 1985, when it was 709 gCO2/kWh.
- China had the 1st highest electricity demand among the 93 countries with Ember data for 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 10,506 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 10,486 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 7.46 MWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Net imports | -19.5 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 528 gCO2/kWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 5,550 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2025 data) | 1 of 93 | 2025 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2025
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 1985 to 2025Annual statistics through 2025, TWh
| Year | Coal | Hydro | Solar | Wind | Nuclear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 261 TWh | 92.4 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1986 | 300 TWh | 94.6 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1987 | 340 TWh | 100 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1988 | 374 TWh | 109 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1989 | 405 TWh | 118 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1990 | 441 TWh | 127 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1991 | 498 TWh | 125 TWh | 0 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 1992 | 567 TWh | 131 TWh | 0 TWh | 130 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 1993 | 589 TWh | 152 TWh | 0 TWh | 210 GWh | 1.60 TWh |
| 1994 | 693 TWh | 167 TWh | 0 TWh | 380 GWh | 14.8 TWh |
| 1995 | 742 TWh | 191 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 620 GWh | 12.8 TWh |
| 1996 | 824 TWh | 188 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 90.0 GWh | 14.3 TWh |
| 1997 | 867 TWh | 196 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 200 GWh | 14.4 TWh |
| 1998 | 892 TWh | 199 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 360 GWh | 14.1 TWh |
| 1999 | 970 TWh | 197 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 470 GWh | 15.0 TWh |
| 2000 | 1,060 TWh | 222 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 590 GWh | 16.7 TWh |
| 2001 | 1,129 TWh | 277 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 720 GWh | 17.5 TWh |
| 2002 | 1,283 TWh | 288 TWh | 50.0 GWh | 840 GWh | 25.1 TWh |
| 2003 | 1,520 TWh | 284 TWh | 60.0 GWh | 1.00 TWh | 43.3 TWh |
| 2004 | 1,722 TWh | 354 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 1.28 TWh | 50.5 TWh |
| 2005 | 1,980 TWh | 397 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 1.95 TWh | 53.1 TWh |
| 2006 | 2,302 TWh | 436 TWh | 100 GWh | 3.71 TWh | 54.8 TWh |
| 2007 | 2,657 TWh | 485 TWh | 110 GWh | 5.48 TWh | 62.1 TWh |
| 2008 | 2,709 TWh | 637 TWh | 150 GWh | 13.1 TWh | 68.4 TWh |
| 2009 | 2,912 TWh | 616 TWh | 280 GWh | 27.6 TWh | 70.1 TWh |
| 2010 | 3,244 TWh | 711 TWh | 700 GWh | 49.4 TWh | 74.7 TWh |
| 2011 | 3,702 TWh | 688 TWh | 2.61 TWh | 74.1 TWh | 87.2 TWh |
| 2012 | 3,760 TWh | 863 TWh | 3.60 TWh | 103 TWh | 98.3 TWh |
| 2013 | 4,090 TWh | 910 TWh | 8.37 TWh | 138 TWh | 112 TWh |
| 2014 | 4,218 TWh | 1,060 TWh | 23.5 TWh | 160 TWh | 133 TWh |
| 2015 | 4,059 TWh | 1,115 TWh | 39.5 TWh | 186 TWh | 171 TWh |
| 2016 | 4,166 TWh | 1,153 TWh | 66.5 TWh | 241 TWh | 213 TWh |
| 2017 | 4,443 TWh | 1,165 TWh | 118 TWh | 305 TWh | 248 TWh |
| 2018 | 4,776 TWh | 1,199 TWh | 177 TWh | 366 TWh | 295 TWh |
| 2019 | 4,865 TWh | 1,273 TWh | 224 TWh | 405 TWh | 349 TWh |
| 2020 | 4,931 TWh | 1,322 TWh | 261 TWh | 467 TWh | 366 TWh |
| 2021 | 5,341 TWh | 1,301 TWh | 327 TWh | 656 TWh | 408 TWh |
| 2022 | 5,422 TWh | 1,304 TWh | 427 TWh | 763 TWh | 418 TWh |
| 2023 | 5,761 TWh | 1,232 TWh | 584 TWh | 886 TWh | 435 TWh |
| 2024 | 5,836 TWh | 1,364 TWh | 839 TWh | 997 TWh | 451 TWh |
| 2025 | 5,756 TWh | 1,392 TWh | 1,173 TWh | 1,128 TWh | 485 TWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10,506 TWh | 10,486 TWh | 528 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 10,025 TWh | 10,008 TWh | 559 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 9,403 TWh | 9,386 TWh | 586 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 8,800 TWh | 8,787 TWh | 590 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 8,496 TWh | 8,482 TWh | 602 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 7,746 TWh | 7,729 TWh | 609 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 7,472 TWh | 7,455 TWh | 622 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 7,133 TWh | 7,118 TWh | 639 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 6,572 TWh | 6,559 TWh | 646 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 6,102 TWh | 6,090 TWh | 653 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for China, 1985 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.
Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through July 2026Monthly statistics through July 2026, TWh
| Month | Demand | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-08 | 965 TWh | 966 TWh |
| 2024-09 | 851 TWh | 853 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 779 TWh | 781 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 792 TWh | 794 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 892 TWh | 893 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 833 TWh | 835 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 741 TWh | 742 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 831 TWh | 832 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 773 TWh | 775 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 807 TWh | 808 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 870 TWh | 872 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 1,009 TWh | 1,011 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 1,012 TWh | 1,013 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 890 TWh | 892 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 854 TWh | 856 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 837 TWh | 838 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 913 TWh | 915 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 849 TWh | 851 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 811 TWh | 812 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 859 TWh | 861 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 808 TWh | 810 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 858 TWh | 860 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 906 TWh | 908 TWh |
| 2026-07 | 1,023 TWh | 1,025 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of July 2026.
China Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in China?
Coal was the largest source of electricity in China in 2025, supplying 54.8% of generation, followed by hydro (13.3%) and solar (11.2%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does China use?
China used 10,486 TWh of electricity in 2025, about 7.46 MWh per person.
How clean is China's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in China emitted 528 gCO2/kWh in 2025, and low carbon sources supplied 41.1% of generation. That is 15% above the world average of 459 gCO2/kWh.
Does China import electricity?
No. China was a net exporter in 2025, exporting 19.5 TWh more than it imported.