Electricity in May 2026: Demand Up 4.0% on May 2025
Demand in the 71 countries with data for both May 2026 and May 2025 was 2,209 TWh in May 2026, up 4.0% on May 2025. Those 71 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 49.2% of their generation in May 2026.
May 2026 at a Glance
71 countries, Ember monthlyDemand, 71 countries2,209 TWhup 4.0% on May 2025
Low carbon share49.2%up 1.1 points on May 2025
Solar and wind share23.4%
Share of world demand88%71 countries, 2025 basis
Key Facts
- Demand in the 71 countries with data for both May 2026 and May 2025 was 2,209 TWh in May 2026, up 4.0% on May 2025.
- Those 71 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 49.2% of generation in these countries in May 2026, up 1.1 points on May 2025.
- Solar supplied 13.3% and wind 10.1% of their generation in May 2026.
- Their generation weighted carbon intensity was 426 gCO2/kWh in May 2026, against 435 gCO2/kWh in May 2025.
- Among large reporters, France had the lowest carbon intensity in May 2026 (23 gCO2/kWh) and Bangladesh the highest (766 gCO2/kWh).
Demand Through 2026 Against 2025
same 71 countries, TWh per monthEmber monthly statistics through May 2026
| Month | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,359 TWh | 2,309 TWh |
| Feb | 2,151 TWh | 2,079 TWh |
| Mar | 2,257 TWh | 2,204 TWh |
| Apr | 2,120 TWh | 2,053 TWh |
| May | 2,209 TWh | 2,123 TWh |
| Jun | n/a | 2,246 TWh |
| Jul | n/a | 2,509 TWh |
| Aug | n/a | 2,461 TWh |
| Sep | n/a | 2,241 TWh |
| Oct | n/a | 2,183 TWh |
| Nov | n/a | 2,149 TWh |
| Dec | n/a | 2,353 TWh |
Biggest Movers, May 2026 Against May 2025
countries generating at least 3 TWh in both monthsDemand rose most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Oman | +19.2% | 4.42 TWh to 5.27 TWh |
| 2. India | +11.7% | 161 TWh to 180 TWh |
| 3. Argentina | +10.4% | 11.4 TWh to 12.5 TWh |
| 4. Ecuador | +9.3% | 3.33 TWh to 3.64 TWh |
| 5. Portugal | +6.8% | 4.26 TWh to 4.55 TWh |
Demand fell most
| Country | Change | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Netherlands | -8.0% | 10.4 TWh to 9.57 TWh |
| 2. Hungary | -6.0% | 3.66 TWh to 3.44 TWh |
| 3. Turkey | -5.9% | 28.0 TWh to 26.3 TWh |
| 4. Romania | -5.4% | 4.25 TWh to 4.02 TWh |
| 5. Nigeria | -5.2% | 3.25 TWh to 3.08 TWh |
Solar share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Belgium | +10.7 points | 24.4% to 35.1% of generation |
| 2. Austria | +8.1 points | 19.1% to 27.3% of generation |
| 3. Romania | +7.1 points | 15.8% to 22.9% of generation |
| 4. Switzerland | +6.5 points | 17.0% to 23.5% of generation |
| 5. Portugal | +5.9 points | 25.0% to 30.9% of generation |
Wind share rose most
| Country | Change | Share of generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Portugal | +6.4 points | 18.5% to 24.9% of generation |
| 2. Austria | +3.3 points | 10.0% to 13.3% of generation |
| 3. Romania | +3.2 points | 12.5% to 15.7% of generation |
| 4. Greece | +2.2 points | 22.1% to 24.3% of generation |
| 5. Australia | +1.8 points | 14.9% to 16.7% of generation |
Carbon intensity fell most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. New Zealand | -46.8% | 140 gCO2/kWh to 74 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Turkey | -35.1% | 387 gCO2/kWh to 251 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Finland | -9.9% | 64 gCO2/kWh to 58 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Portugal | -6.3% | 122 gCO2/kWh to 114 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Spain | -5.5% | 131 gCO2/kWh to 124 gCO2/kWh |
Carbon intensity rose most
| Country | Change | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Belgium | +93.2% | 122 gCO2/kWh to 235 gCO2/kWh |
| 2. Netherlands | +47.4% | 156 gCO2/kWh to 230 gCO2/kWh |
| 3. Ecuador | +19.7% | 170 gCO2/kWh to 203 gCO2/kWh |
| 4. Peru | +18.7% | 209 gCO2/kWh to 248 gCO2/kWh |
| 5. Germany | +17.7% | 268 gCO2/kWh to 316 gCO2/kWh |
Cleanest and Dirtiest Grids, May 2026
large reporters, gCO2/kWhLowest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. France | 23 gCO2/kWh | 41.0 TWh generated |
| 2. Sweden | 27 gCO2/kWh | 11.4 TWh generated |
| 3. Norway | 29 gCO2/kWh | 11.0 TWh generated |
| 4. Austria | 50 gCO2/kWh | 5.50 TWh generated |
| 5. Switzerland | 54 gCO2/kWh | 5.70 TWh generated |
| 6. Finland | 58 gCO2/kWh | 6.12 TWh generated |
| 7. New Zealand | 74 gCO2/kWh | 3.44 TWh generated |
| 8. Brazil | 87 gCO2/kWh | 63.4 TWh generated |
Highest carbon intensity
| Country | Carbon intensity | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bangladesh | 766 gCO2/kWh | 7.90 TWh generated |
| 2. South Africa | 727 gCO2/kWh | 18.7 TWh generated |
| 3. Philippines | 649 gCO2/kWh | 10.8 TWh generated |
| 4. Taiwan | 644 gCO2/kWh | 25.0 TWh generated |
| 5. Malaysia | 640 gCO2/kWh | 17.1 TWh generated |
| 6. India | 630 gCO2/kWh | 181 TWh generated |
| 7. Poland | 606 gCO2/kWh | 13.1 TWh generated |
| 8. Oman | 601 gCO2/kWh | 5.27 TWh generated |
Largest Reporters by Demand, May 2026
| Country | Demand | On May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. China | 858 TWh | +6.4% |
| 2. United States | 365 TWh | +2.7% |
| 3. India | 180 TWh | +11.7% |
| 4. Russia | 86.5 TWh | -1.9% |
| 5. Japan | 65.7 TWh | +1.2% |
| 6. Brazil | 63.4 TWh | +3.0% |
| 7. Canada | 45.7 TWh | +0.9% |
| 8. South Korea | 45.2 TWh | +0.5% |
How This Month Is Measured
- Coverage. 71 countries reported May 2026. 71 of them also have May 2025, and those 71 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 May 2026. Ember monthly statistics.