Electricity in April 2026: Demand Up 3.2% on April 2025
Demand in the 72 countries with data for both April 2026 and April 2025 was 2,127 TWh in April 2026, up 3.2% on April 2025. Those 72 countries cover 88% 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 48.7% of their generation in April 2026.
April 2026 at a Glance
72 countries, Ember monthlyDemand, 72 countries2,127 TWhup 3.2% on April 2025
Low carbon share48.7%up 0.9 points on April 2025
Solar and wind share23.6%
Share of world demand88%72 countries, 2025 basis
Key Facts
- Demand in the 72 countries with data for both April 2026 and April 2025 was 2,127 TWh in April 2026, up 3.2% on April 2025.
- Those 72 countries cover 88% 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 48.7% of generation in these countries in April 2026, up 0.9 points on April 2025.
- Solar supplied 12.5% and wind 11.1% of their generation in April 2026.
- Their generation weighted carbon intensity was 431 gCO2/kWh in April 2026, against 439 gCO2/kWh in April 2025.
- Among large reporters, France had the lowest carbon intensity in April 2026 (24 gCO2/kWh) and Bangladesh the highest (759 gCO2/kWh).
Demand Through 2026 Against 2025
same 72 countries, TWh per monthEmber monthly statistics through April 2026
| Month | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,366 TWh | 2,317 TWh |
| Feb | 2,157 TWh | 2,086 TWh |
| Mar | 2,265 TWh | 2,212 TWh |
| Apr | 2,127 TWh | 2,060 TWh |
| May | n/a | 2,131 TWh |
| Jun | n/a | 2,253 TWh |
| Jul | n/a | 2,516 TWh |
| Aug | n/a | 2,468 TWh |
| Sep | n/a | 2,247 TWh |
| Oct | n/a | 2,190 TWh |
| Nov | n/a | 2,156 TWh |
| Dec | n/a | 2,361 TWh |
Biggest Movers, April 2026 Against April 2025
countries generating at least 3 TWh in both monthsDemand rose most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Denmark | +14.1% | 3.12 TWh to 3.56 TWh |
| 2. Malaysia | +9.6% | 15.4 TWh to 16.8 TWh |
| 3. Thailand | +9.0% | 19.5 TWh to 21.3 TWh |
| 4. Argentina | +7.8% | 10.2 TWh to 11.0 TWh |
| 5. Switzerland | +7.7% | 5.21 TWh to 5.61 TWh |
Demand fell most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Philippines | -13.6% | 11.0 TWh to 9.49 TWh |
| 2. Romania | -6.6% | 4.22 TWh to 3.94 TWh |
| 3. South Africa | -5.4% | 18.3 TWh to 17.3 TWh |
| 4. Oman | -3.6% | 4.42 TWh to 4.26 TWh |
| 5. Japan | -2.0% | 66.2 TWh to 64.9 TWh |
Solar share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Portugal | +11.5 points | 15.5% to 27.0% of generation |
| 2. Belgium | +10.3 points | 23.9% to 34.1% of generation |
| 3. Italy | +5.5 points | 23.1% to 28.5% of generation |
| 4. Spain | +5.3 points | 25.3% to 30.6% of generation |
| 5. Chile | +4.5 points | 21.6% to 26.1% of generation |
Wind share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. United Kingdom | +10.0 points | 24.5% to 34.5% of generation |
| 2. Belgium | +9.9 points | 13.8% to 23.7% of generation |
| 3. Norway | +6.9 points | 7.5% to 14.3% of generation |
| 4. Sweden | +6.4 points | 21.4% to 27.8% of generation |
| 5. Netherlands | +6.3 points | 17.2% to 23.5% of generation |
Carbon intensity fell most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New Zealand | -51.5% | 161 gCO2/kWh to 78 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. United Kingdom | -29.5% | 221 gCO2/kWh to 156 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Turkey | -27.5% | 386 gCO2/kWh to 280 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Finland | -25.6% | 86 gCO2/kWh to 64 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Germany | -12.8% | 353 gCO2/kWh to 308 gCO2/kWh |
Carbon intensity rose most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Portugal | +64.6% | 79 gCO2/kWh to 129 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Ecuador | +44.8% | 165 gCO2/kWh to 239 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Belgium | +32.0% | 157 gCO2/kWh to 207 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. South Korea | +14.3% | 332 gCO2/kWh to 379 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Peru | +13.6% | 181 gCO2/kWh to 206 gCO2/kWh |
Cleanest and Dirtiest Grids, April 2026
large reporters, gCO2/kWhLowest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. France | 24 gCO2/kWh | 41.5 TWh generated |
| 2. Sweden | 27 gCO2/kWh | 13.1 TWh generated |
| 3. Norway | 29 gCO2/kWh | 10.3 TWh generated |
| 4. Switzerland | 57 gCO2/kWh | 5.98 TWh generated |
| 5. Finland | 64 gCO2/kWh | 6.33 TWh generated |
| 6. New Zealand | 78 gCO2/kWh | 3.16 TWh generated |
| 7. Austria | 82 gCO2/kWh | 5.48 TWh generated |
| 8. Brazil | 86 gCO2/kWh | 63.6 TWh generated |
Highest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bangladesh | 759 gCO2/kWh | 7.62 TWh generated |
| 2. South Africa | 683 gCO2/kWh | 17.1 TWh generated |
| 3. India | 653 gCO2/kWh | 170 TWh generated |
| 4. Taiwan | 644 gCO2/kWh | 23.1 TWh generated |
| 5. Philippines | 643 gCO2/kWh | 9.49 TWh generated |
| 6. Malaysia | 637 gCO2/kWh | 16.8 TWh generated |
| 7. Oman | 601 gCO2/kWh | 4.26 TWh generated |
| 8. Poland | 595 gCO2/kWh | 13.8 TWh generated |
Largest Reporters by Demand, April 2026
| Country | Demand | On April 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 808 TWh | +4.6% |
| 2. United States | 340 TWh | +2.7% |
| 3. India | 168 TWh | +5.9% |
| 4. Russia | 92.3 TWh | 0.0% |
| 5. Japan | 64.9 TWh | -2.0% |
| 6. Brazil | 63.6 TWh | +2.4% |
| 7. Canada | 48.7 TWh | +1.4% |
| 8. South Korea | 44.1 TWh | +0.3% |
How This Month Is Measured
- Coverage. 72 countries reported April 2026. 72 of them also have April 2025, and those 72 are the like for like set behind every figure above. Together they made up 88% 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 April 2026. Ember monthly statistics.