Electricity Bar Chart Race: Top Countries, 2000 to 2024
In 2000 United States generated the most electricity (3,802 TWh); in 2024 it was China (10,025 TWh), according to Ember's annual statistics. Press play to watch the top 15 countries change year by year from 2000 to 2024, or switch the measure to low carbon share, solar, wind or carbon intensity. The chart covers the 25 years in which nearly every country reports, and a table of the selected year sits under the chart.
Race facts, 2000 to 2024
- In 2000 the largest electricity generator was United States (3,802 TWh); in 2024 it was China (10,025 TWh) (Ember annual data).
- Wind generation leader in 2024: China (997 TWh). Solar generation leader: China (839 TWh).
- Highest low carbon share in 2024 among countries generating at least 10 TWh: Bhutan (100.0%).
- The race covers 25 years, 2000 to 2024, and 211 countries with generation data in 2000.
The race
Ember annual data, 2000 to 2024Total electricity generation
2024The 15 countries generating the most electricity in the year.
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| Rank | Country | TWh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 10,025 TWh |
| 2 | United States | 4,391 TWh |
| 3 | India | 2,035 TWh |
| 4 | Russia | 1,209 TWh |
| 5 | Japan | 1,016 TWh |
| 6 | Brazil | 746 TWh |
| 7 | Canada | 637 TWh |
| 8 | South Korea | 625 TWh |
| 9 | France | 562 TWh |
| 10 | Germany | 492 TWh |
| 11 | Saudi Arabia | 455 TWh |
| 12 | Iran | 396 TWh |
| 13 | Indonesia | 372 TWh |
| 14 | Mexico | 355 TWh |
| 15 | Turkey | 341 TWh |
Top five by decade
2000, 2010, 2020, 2024| Rank | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States 3,802 TWh | China 4,196 TWh | China 7,746 TWh | China 10,025 TWh |
| 2 | China 1,356 TWh | United States 4,114 TWh | United States 4,043 TWh | United States 4,391 TWh |
| 3 | Japan 1,100 TWh | Japan 1,156 TWh | India 1,562 TWh | India 2,035 TWh |
| 4 | Russia 878 TWh | Russia 1,038 TWh | Russia 1,085 TWh | Russia 1,209 TWh |
| 5 | Canada 604 TWh | India 936 TWh | Japan 1,011 TWh | Japan 1,016 TWh |
| Rank | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paraguay 100.0% | Iceland 100.0% | Bhutan 100.0% | Bhutan 100.0% |
| 2 | Norway 99.7% | Paraguay 100.0% | Iceland 100.0% | Democratic Republic of the Congo 100.0% |
| 3 | Tajikistan 98.5% | Zambia 99.9% | Paraguay 100.0% | Ethiopia 100.0% |
| 4 | Switzerland 97.0% | Mozambique 99.9% | Ethiopia 99.9% | Nepal 100.0% |
| 5 | Sweden 96.7% | Tajikistan 99.8% | Democratic Republic of the Congo 99.9% | Paraguay 100.0% |
| Rank | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States 490 GWh | Germany 12.0 TWh | China 261 TWh | China 839 TWh |
| 2 | Japan 340 GWh | Spain 7.19 TWh | United States 131 TWh | United States 304 TWh |
| 3 | Australia 50.0 GWh | Japan 3.98 TWh | Japan 75.9 TWh | India 142 TWh |
| 4 | Canada 20.0 GWh | Italy 1.91 TWh | India 51.6 TWh | Japan 96.7 TWh |
| 5 | China 20.0 GWh | United States 1.21 TWh | Germany 49.5 TWh | Germany 74.1 TWh |
| Rank | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany 9.35 TWh | United States 94.7 TWh | China 467 TWh | China 997 TWh |
| 2 | United States 5.59 TWh | China 49.4 TWh | United States 338 TWh | United States 452 TWh |
| 3 | Spain 4.73 TWh | Spain 44.3 TWh | Germany 132 TWh | Germany 137 TWh |
| 4 | Denmark 4.24 TWh | Germany 38.6 TWh | United Kingdom 75.6 TWh | Brazil 108 TWh |
| 5 | India 1.58 TWh | India 19.5 TWh | India 60.4 TWh | United Kingdom 83.3 TWh |
| Rank | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poland 955 gCO2/kWh | Poland 893 gCO2/kWh | South Africa 763 gCO2/kWh | South Africa 718 gCO2/kWh |
| 2 | Australia 806 gCO2/kWh | South Africa 808 gCO2/kWh | Poland 738 gCO2/kWh | India 707 gCO2/kWh |
| 3 | South Africa 799 gCO2/kWh | Australia 776 gCO2/kWh | India 710 gCO2/kWh | Saudi Arabia 692 gCO2/kWh |
| 4 | China 784 gCO2/kWh | China 742 gCO2/kWh | Saudi Arabia 702 gCO2/kWh | Indonesia 681 gCO2/kWh |
| 5 | India 740 gCO2/kWh | India 739 gCO2/kWh | Indonesia 685 gCO2/kWh | Iran 643 gCO2/kWh |
Rankings use each year's Ember statistics as published; the low carbon ranking only counts countries generating at least 10 TWh in that year. Ember's annual data ends with the latest year in which nearly every country has reported, so a year still being filled in is left out.
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024. Annual statistics, 2000 to 2024.