Electricity in March 2026: Demand Up 2.5% on March 2025
Demand in the 80 countries with data for both March 2026 and March 2025 was 2,303 TWh in March 2026, up 2.5% on March 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 46.2% of their generation in March 2026.
March 2026 at a Glance
80 countries, Ember monthlyDemand, 80 countries2,303 TWhup 2.5% on March 2025
Low carbon share46.2%up 0.7 points on March 2025
Solar and wind share21.5%
Share of world demand89%80 countries, 2025 basis
Key Facts
- Demand in the 80 countries with data for both March 2026 and March 2025 was 2,303 TWh in March 2026, up 2.5% on March 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 46.2% of generation in these countries in March 2026, up 0.7 points on March 2025.
- Solar supplied 10.9% and wind 10.6% of their generation in March 2026.
- Their generation weighted carbon intensity was 452 gCO2/kWh in March 2026, against 457 gCO2/kWh in March 2025.
- Among large reporters, Sweden had the lowest carbon intensity in March 2026 (27 gCO2/kWh) and Kazakhstan the highest (822 gCO2/kWh).
Demand Through 2026 Against 2025
same 80 countries, TWh per monthEmber monthly statistics through March 2026
| Month | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,405 TWh | 2,352 TWh |
| Feb | 2,192 TWh | 2,118 TWh |
| Mar | 2,303 TWh | 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, March 2026 Against March 2025
countries generating at least 3 TWh in both monthsDemand rose most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Austria | +16.8% | 5.96 TWh to 6.96 TWh |
| 2. Pakistan | +16.1% | 11.4 TWh to 13.2 TWh |
| 3. Bulgaria | +12.8% | 2.96 TWh to 3.34 TWh |
| 4. Oman | +11.5% | 3.48 TWh to 3.88 TWh |
| 5. Denmark | +10.7% | 3.55 TWh to 3.93 TWh |
Demand fell most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bangladesh | -8.7% | 9.11 TWh to 8.32 TWh |
| 2. South Africa | -3.7% | 18.8 TWh to 18.1 TWh |
| 3. Spain | -3.5% | 21.1 TWh to 20.4 TWh |
| 4. France | -3.4% | 40.1 TWh to 38.7 TWh |
| 5. Sweden | -2.5% | 12.2 TWh to 11.9 TWh |
Solar share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Austria | +7.9 points | 17.2% to 25.2% of generation |
| 2. Spain | +7.6 points | 15.7% to 23.3% of generation |
| 3. Pakistan | +5.7 points | 27.5% to 33.2% of generation |
| 4. Chile | +4.4 points | 24.3% to 28.7% of generation |
| 5. Hungary | +3.7 points | 26.8% to 30.5% of generation |
Wind share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Belgium | +13.9 points | 9.9% to 23.8% of generation |
| 2. Netherlands | +10.2 points | 15.7% to 25.9% of generation |
| 3. United Kingdom | +9.9 points | 29.3% to 39.2% of generation |
| 4. Morocco | +7.9 points | 20.4% to 28.2% of generation |
| 5. Germany | +6.2 points | 20.2% to 26.4% of generation |
Carbon intensity fell most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New Zealand | -51.4% | 176 gCO2/kWh to 85 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Finland | -37.3% | 102 gCO2/kWh to 64 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Austria | -29.1% | 125 gCO2/kWh to 89 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Turkey | -24.8% | 446 gCO2/kWh to 335 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Denmark | -21.6% | 179 gCO2/kWh to 140 gCO2/kWh |
Carbon intensity rose most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Portugal | +37.8% | 81 gCO2/kWh to 112 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Brazil | +32.9% | 75 gCO2/kWh to 99 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Ecuador | +31.6% | 173 gCO2/kWh to 228 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. South Korea | +18.2% | 342 gCO2/kWh to 404 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Belgium | +14.8% | 159 gCO2/kWh to 182 gCO2/kWh |
Cleanest and Dirtiest Grids, March 2026
large reporters, gCO2/kWhLowest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sweden | 27 gCO2/kWh | 14.9 TWh generated |
| 2. Norway | 27 gCO2/kWh | 12.1 TWh generated |
| 3. France | 30 gCO2/kWh | 48.2 TWh generated |
| 4. Finland | 64 gCO2/kWh | 8.25 TWh generated |
| 5. Switzerland | 66 gCO2/kWh | 5.07 TWh generated |
| 6. New Zealand | 85 gCO2/kWh | 3.29 TWh generated |
| 7. Austria | 89 gCO2/kWh | 6.24 TWh generated |
| 8. Brazil | 99 gCO2/kWh | 68.0 TWh generated |
Highest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kazakhstan | 822 gCO2/kWh | 11.3 TWh generated |
| 2. Bangladesh | 761 gCO2/kWh | 6.79 TWh generated |
| 3. Serbia | 669 gCO2/kWh | 3.05 TWh generated |
| 4. India | 665 gCO2/kWh | 166 TWh generated |
| 5. Poland | 664 gCO2/kWh | 14.5 TWh generated |
| 6. South Africa | 651 gCO2/kWh | 18.1 TWh generated |
| 7. Malaysia | 640 gCO2/kWh | 16.6 TWh generated |
| 8. Philippines | 625 gCO2/kWh | 9.00 TWh generated |
Largest Reporters by Demand, March 2026
| Country | Demand | On March 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 859 TWh | +3.4% |
| 2. United States | 358 TWh | +4.5% |
| 3. India | 164 TWh | +2.1% |
| 4. Russia | 103 TWh | -0.8% |
| 5. Japan | 78.0 TWh | +0.8% |
| 6. Brazil | 68.0 TWh | 0.0% |
| 7. Canada | 57.4 TWh | +0.7% |
| 8. South Korea | 47.7 TWh | -0.9% |
How This Month Is Measured
- Coverage. 80 countries reported March 2026. 80 of them also have March 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 March 2026. Ember monthly statistics.