Electricity in May 2025: Demand Up 1.4% on May 2024
Demand in the 84 countries with data for both May 2025 and May 2024 was 2,213 TWh in May 2025, up 1.4% on May 2024. Those 84 countries cover 91% of world electricity demand (measured on 2025 demand), so this is a review of the reporting countries, not a world total. Low carbon sources supplied 48.0% of their generation in May 2025.
May 2025 at a Glance
84 countries, Ember monthlyDemand, 84 countries2,213 TWhup 1.4% on May 2024
Low carbon share48.0%up 1.8 points on May 2024
Solar and wind share21.5%
Share of world demand91%84 countries, 2025 basis
Key Facts
- Demand in the 84 countries with data for both May 2025 and May 2024 was 2,213 TWh in May 2025, up 1.4% on May 2024.
- Those 84 countries cover 91% of world electricity demand (measured on 2025 demand), so this is a review of the reporting countries, not a world total.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 48.0% of generation in these countries in May 2025, up 1.8 points on May 2024.
- Solar supplied 11.6% and wind 9.9% of their generation in May 2025.
- Their generation weighted carbon intensity was 435 gCO2/kWh in May 2025, against 450 gCO2/kWh in May 2024.
- Among large reporters, France had the lowest carbon intensity in May 2025 (23 gCO2/kWh) and Kazakhstan the highest (772 gCO2/kWh).
Demand Through 2025 Against 2024
same 84 countries, TWh per monthEmber monthly statistics through May 2025
| Month | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,388 TWh | 2,312 TWh |
| Feb | 2,151 TWh | 2,134 TWh |
| Mar | 2,287 TWh | 2,206 TWh |
| Apr | 2,135 TWh | 2,076 TWh |
| May | 2,213 TWh | 2,182 TWh |
| Jun | n/a | 2,266 TWh |
| Jul | n/a | 2,500 TWh |
| Aug | n/a | 2,501 TWh |
| Sep | n/a | 2,269 TWh |
| Oct | n/a | 2,180 TWh |
| Nov | n/a | 2,169 TWh |
| Dec | n/a | 2,375 TWh |
Biggest Movers, May 2025 Against May 2024
countries generating at least 3 TWh in both monthsDemand rose most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Nigeria | +23.1% | 2.64 TWh to 3.25 TWh |
| 2. Oman | +20.8% | 3.66 TWh to 4.42 TWh |
| 3. Austria | +16.7% | 4.86 TWh to 5.67 TWh |
| 4. Denmark | +11.9% | 2.93 TWh to 3.28 TWh |
| 5. Pakistan | +10.7% | 14.0 TWh to 15.5 TWh |
Demand fell most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Argentina | -10.0% | 12.6 TWh to 11.4 TWh |
| 2. New Zealand | -7.9% | 3.78 TWh to 3.48 TWh |
| 3. Thailand | -5.2% | 21.3 TWh to 20.2 TWh |
| 4. Belgium | -4.1% | 6.62 TWh to 6.35 TWh |
| 5. Italy | -4.0% | 24.1 TWh to 23.2 TWh |
Solar share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pakistan | +7.7 points | 11.1% to 18.8% of generation |
| 2. Belgium | +7.2 points | 17.2% to 24.4% of generation |
| 3. Italy | +5.7 points | 19.6% to 25.3% of generation |
| 4. Switzerland | +5.2 points | 11.8% to 17.0% of generation |
| 5. Austria | +5.1 points | 14.1% to 19.1% of generation |
Wind share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sweden | +10.5 points | 16.9% to 27.4% of generation |
| 2. Belgium | +7.0 points | 11.3% to 18.3% of generation |
| 3. United Kingdom | +6.8 points | 21.6% to 28.4% of generation |
| 4. Finland | +6.6 points | 18.1% to 24.8% of generation |
| 5. Netherlands | +6.6 points | 19.6% to 26.2% of generation |
Carbon intensity fell most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Colombia | -33.1% | 147 gCO2/kWh to 98 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Netherlands | -27.8% | 216 gCO2/kWh to 156 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Belgium | -22.0% | 156 gCO2/kWh to 122 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Czechia | -19.0% | 367 gCO2/kWh to 298 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Peru | -17.0% | 251 gCO2/kWh to 209 gCO2/kWh |
Carbon intensity rose most
Cleanest and Dirtiest Grids, May 2025
large reporters, gCO2/kWhLowest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. France | 23 gCO2/kWh | 37.5 TWh generated |
| 2. Sweden | 25 gCO2/kWh | 12.0 TWh generated |
| 3. Norway | 25 gCO2/kWh | 11.2 TWh generated |
| 4. Austria | 47 gCO2/kWh | 5.59 TWh generated |
| 5. Switzerland | 55 gCO2/kWh | 6.01 TWh generated |
| 6. Finland | 64 gCO2/kWh | 6.18 TWh generated |
| 7. Brazil | 88 gCO2/kWh | 61.6 TWh generated |
| 8. Colombia | 98 gCO2/kWh | 7.10 TWh generated |
Highest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kazakhstan | 772 gCO2/kWh | 9.80 TWh generated |
| 2. Bangladesh | 760 gCO2/kWh | 8.35 TWh generated |
| 3. South Africa | 714 gCO2/kWh | 20.4 TWh generated |
| 4. Kuwait | 650 gCO2/kWh | 8.90 TWh generated |
| 5. Philippines | 648 gCO2/kWh | 11.0 TWh generated |
| 6. India | 644 gCO2/kWh | 163 TWh generated |
| 7. Taiwan | 641 gCO2/kWh | 24.7 TWh generated |
| 8. Malaysia | 638 gCO2/kWh | 16.5 TWh generated |
Largest Reporters by Demand, May 2025
| Country | Demand | On May 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 806 TWh | +4.3% |
| 2. United States | 356 TWh | -0.4% |
| 3. India | 161 TWh | -3.8% |
| 4. Russia | 88.1 TWh | -0.9% |
| 5. Japan | 64.9 TWh | +0.1% |
| 6. Brazil | 61.6 TWh | -0.9% |
| 7. Canada | 45.3 TWh | +2.8% |
| 8. South Korea | 45.0 TWh | +0.1% |
How This Month Is Measured
- Coverage. 84 countries reported May 2025. 84 of them also have May 2024, and those 84 are the like for like set behind every figure above. Together they made up 91% of world demand in 2025. A month is published only when at least 10 countries and 60% of world demand are covered.
- Not a world total. These sums cover the reporting countries only.
- Carbon intensity. The figure for the group weights each country's monthly intensity by its generation; country rankings use Ember's own monthly intensity.
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of May 2025. Ember monthly statistics.