Electricity in January 2026: Demand Up 2.2% on January 2025
Demand in the 80 countries with data for both January 2026 and January 2025 was 2,405 TWh in January 2026, up 2.2% on January 2025. Those 80 countries cover 89% 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 43.0% of their generation in January 2026.
January 2026 at a Glance
80 countries, Ember monthlyDemand, 80 countries2,405 TWhup 2.2% on January 2025
Low carbon share43.0%up 1.5 points on January 2025
Solar and wind share18.5%
Share of world demand89%80 countries, 2025 basis
Key Facts
- Demand in the 80 countries with data for both January 2026 and January 2025 was 2,405 TWh in January 2026, up 2.2% on January 2025.
- Those 80 countries cover 89% 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 43.0% of generation in these countries in January 2026, up 1.5 points on January 2025.
- Solar supplied 7.5% and wind 11.0% of their generation in January 2026.
- Their generation weighted carbon intensity was 470 gCO2/kWh in January 2026, against 486 gCO2/kWh in January 2025.
- Among large reporters, Norway had the lowest carbon intensity in January 2026 (27 gCO2/kWh) and Kazakhstan the highest (832 gCO2/kWh).
Demand Through 2026 Against 2025
same 80 countries, TWh per monthEmber monthly statistics through January 2026
| Month | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,405 TWh | 2,352 TWh |
| Feb | n/a | 2,118 TWh |
| Mar | n/a | 2,247 TWh |
| Apr | n/a | 2,095 TWh |
| May | n/a | 2,168 TWh |
| Jun | n/a | 2,292 TWh |
| Jul | n/a | 2,556 TWh |
| Aug | n/a | 2,508 TWh |
| Sep | n/a | 2,284 TWh |
| Oct | n/a | 2,227 TWh |
| Nov | n/a | 2,190 TWh |
| Dec | n/a | 2,400 TWh |
Biggest Movers, January 2026 Against January 2025
countries generating at least 3 TWh in both monthsDemand rose most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pakistan | +20.6% | 10.5 TWh to 12.7 TWh |
| 2. Oman | +15.0% | 2.74 TWh to 3.15 TWh |
| 3. Denmark | +14.7% | 3.81 TWh to 4.37 TWh |
| 4. Finland | +13.8% | 8.78 TWh to 9.99 TWh |
| 5. Bulgaria | +10.1% | 3.67 TWh to 4.04 TWh |
Demand fell most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. South Africa | -6.2% | 18.5 TWh to 17.4 TWh |
| 2. Argentina | -3.1% | 14.0 TWh to 13.6 TWh |
| 3. United States | -1.4% | 410 TWh to 405 TWh |
| 4. Netherlands | -1.3% | 11.4 TWh to 11.3 TWh |
| 5. Philippines | -0.8% | 9.32 TWh to 9.25 TWh |
Solar share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pakistan | +5.8 points | 23.4% to 29.2% of generation |
| 2. South Africa | +3.4 points | 9.7% to 13.1% of generation |
| 3. India | +3.0 points | 9.7% to 12.7% of generation |
| 4. Brazil | +2.6 points | 11.2% to 13.9% of generation |
| 5. Australia | +2.6 points | 26.3% to 29.0% of generation |
Wind share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Greece | +10.3 points | 18.5% to 28.7% of generation |
| 2. United Kingdom | +10.2 points | 27.7% to 37.9% of generation |
| 3. Turkey | +7.0 points | 9.3% to 16.4% of generation |
| 4. Denmark | +6.2 points | 63.1% to 69.4% of generation |
| 5. Brazil | +4.3 points | 8.8% to 13.1% of generation |
Carbon intensity fell most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New Zealand | -50.4% | 87 gCO2/kWh to 43 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Denmark | -22.7% | 185 gCO2/kWh to 143 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Greece | -21.0% | 412 gCO2/kWh to 326 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. United Kingdom | -14.7% | 265 gCO2/kWh to 226 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Bulgaria | -11.4% | 462 gCO2/kWh to 409 gCO2/kWh |
Carbon intensity rose most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Belgium | +51.1% | 156 gCO2/kWh to 236 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Finland | +32.5% | 98 gCO2/kWh to 130 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Brazil | +26.6% | 80 gCO2/kWh to 101 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Hungary | +22.3% | 230 gCO2/kWh to 281 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Switzerland | +20.4% | 56 gCO2/kWh to 67 gCO2/kWh |
Cleanest and Dirtiest Grids, January 2026
large reporters, gCO2/kWhLowest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Norway | 27 gCO2/kWh | 17.2 TWh generated |
| 2. Sweden | 28 gCO2/kWh | 17.7 TWh generated |
| 3. New Zealand | 43 gCO2/kWh | 3.08 TWh generated |
| 4. France | 52 gCO2/kWh | 55.4 TWh generated |
| 5. Switzerland | 67 gCO2/kWh | 4.91 TWh generated |
| 6. Brazil | 101 gCO2/kWh | 66.3 TWh generated |
| 7. Portugal | 108 gCO2/kWh | 4.82 TWh generated |
| 8. Spain | 126 gCO2/kWh | 23.4 TWh generated |
Highest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kazakhstan | 832 gCO2/kWh | 11.9 TWh generated |
| 2. Bangladesh | 765 gCO2/kWh | 5.96 TWh generated |
| 3. Poland | 711 gCO2/kWh | 16.1 TWh generated |
| 4. India | 671 gCO2/kWh | 159 TWh generated |
| 5. Serbia | 669 gCO2/kWh | 3.38 TWh generated |
| 6. Malaysia | 636 gCO2/kWh | 16.0 TWh generated |
| 7. Philippines | 621 gCO2/kWh | 9.25 TWh generated |
| 8. South Africa | 619 gCO2/kWh | 18.0 TWh generated |
Largest Reporters by Demand, January 2026
| Country | Demand | On January 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 849 TWh | +1.9% |
| 2. United States | 405 TWh | -1.4% |
| 3. India | 158 TWh | +6.3% |
| 4. Russia | 115 TWh | +4.6% |
| 5. Japan | 87.9 TWh | +1.8% |
| 6. Brazil | 66.3 TWh | -0.1% |
| 7. Canada | 64.3 TWh | +1.2% |
| 8. South Korea | 54.9 TWh | +5.6% |
How This Month Is Measured
- Coverage. 80 countries reported January 2026. 80 of them also have January 2025, and those 80 are the like for like set behind every figure above. Together they made up 89% 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 January 2026. Ember monthly statistics.