Coal is still dominant source used by many countries to produce electricity. But in 2025, for the first time in history, electricity produced using renewable sources (36%) like solar, wind, hydro etc… has surpassed the electricity produced using coal (32%) worldwide. Other dominant sources used to produce electricity are natural gas (22%) and nuclear (9%). Let’s see top 10 electricity producing countries in the world and what are the sources they used to produce that amount of electricity.
Top 10 Electricity Producing Countries – 2026 :
Note : Total electricity produced in a year is measured in terms of TWh (Terawatt Hours).
1) China | ~10,000 TWh
China is the largest electricity producing country in the world producing about ~10,000 TWh in 2025. It is almost 30% of total electricity produced worldwide in 2025. China sits at first place comfortably by a huge margin as electricity produced in China is almost double of second placed country i.e USA. Coal forms the major source of this electricity accounting for almost 53% of the electricity produced. Renewables are used for 38% of the electricity and share of renewables is rapidly rising. Remaining electricity is produced using nuclear (5%), natural gas (3%) and others (1%).
| Coal | 53% |
| Renewables | 38% |
| Nuclear | 5% |
| Natural Gas | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~10,000 TWh |
2) USA | ~4500 TWh
Next in the list is the United States Of America (USA) which produces ~4500 TWh of electricity every year. It is the almost 13% of total global capacity. Electricity production in USA is well diversified. It uses Natural Gas (39%), Renewables (27%), Nuclear (19%), Coal (14%) and others (1%) for electricity production. It is not heavily dependent on a single source. Electricity production is well diversified among different sources.
| Natural Gas | 39% |
| Renewables | 27% |
| Nuclear | 19% |
| Coal | 14% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~4500 TWh |
3) India | ~2000 TWh
India is the third largest electricity producing country in the world. It produces ~2000 TWh of electricity every year. India is heavily coal-dependent electricity producer as almost 70% of electricity is produced using coal. Renewables give another 23% of electricity. Remaining electricity is produced using nuclear (3%), natural gas (3%) and others (1%). Efforts are in full swing to diversify energy needs especially using renewables like solar and wind.
| Coal | 70% |
| Renewables | 23% |
| Nuclear | 3% |
| Natural Gas | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~2000 TWh |
4) Russia | ~1200 TWh
Russia is the fourth largest electricity producer in the world producing ~1200 TWh of electricity every year. Russia is a gas-dominant electricity producer as major portion of electricity comes from natural gas (46%). It is followed by nuclear (20%), renewables (19%) and coal (14%). Electricity produced using renewables is mainly from hydro projects.
| Natural Gas | 46% |
| Nuclear | 20% |
| Renewables | 19% |
| Coal | 14% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~1200 TWh |
5) Japan | ~1050 TWh
Next comes the Japan which produces ~1050 TWh of electricity every year. Japan’s electricity production is well balanced, not heavily dependent on one source. 34% of electricity comes from Natural Gas, 30% from Coal, 24% from Renewables and 7% from Nuclear. 5% of electricity comes from other sources like oil.
| Natural Gas | 34% |
| Coal | 30% |
| Renewables | 24% |
| Nuclear | 7% |
| Other | 5% |
| Total | ~1050 TWh |
6) Brazil | ~750 TWh
Brazil is one of the greenest electricity producing country in the world. Almost 88% of electricity is produced from renewable sources especially hydro. Another 6% of electricity comes from natural gas. Coal, nuclear and other sources contribute 2% each.
| Renewables | 88% |
| Natural Gas | 6% |
| Coal | 2% |
| Nuclear | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
| Total | ~750 TWh |
7) Canada | ~700 TWh
Canada is another greenest electricity producing country in the world after Brazil. It produces ~700 TWh of electricity every year and 68% of this electricity comes from renewable sources. Nuclear contribute 15%, Natural Gas contribute 11% and Coal contribute 5% of total electricity. Other sources contribute 1%.
| Renewables | 68% |
| Nuclear | 15% |
| Natural Gas | 11% |
| Coal | 5% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~700 TWh |
8) South Korea | ~600 TWh
South Korea is 8th largest electricity producing country globally producing ~600 TWh of electricity every year. South Korea has well diversified electricity production infrastructure in place. Almost 90% of electricity is produced from three sources – Coal (32%), Nuclear (29%) and Natural Gas (28%). Another 10% of electricity comes from renewable sources.
| Coal | 32% |
| Nuclear | 29% |
| Natural Gas | 28% |
| Renewables | 10% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~600 TWh |
9) Germany | ~520 TWh
Germany is another greenest electricity producing country after Brazil and Canada. It has produced ~520 TWh of electricity in 2025, in which 60% of electricity has come from renewable sources. Coal contributed 22% and Natural Gas contributed another 15% of electricity. Contribution of nuclear power is almost nil. Other sources contributed 3% of total electricity.
| Renewable | 60% |
| Coal | 22% |
| Natural Gas | 15% |
| Nuclear | 0% |
| Other | 3% |
| Total | ~520 TWh |
10) France | ~500 TWh
France is one of nuclear-heavy electricity producing country. France dependent on nuclear for almost 65% of its total electricity. 27% of electricity comes from renewables. Natural gas contribute 6%. Coal and other resources contribute 1% each.
| Nuclear | 65% |
| Renewables | 27% |
| Natural Gas | 6% |
| Coal | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
| Total | ~500 TWh |
Summary :
- Although China and India moving towards renewable energy, coal is still major source for their electricity need as of now.
- Brazil is the greenest electricity producing country producing about 88% of their electricity need from renewable sources. It is followed by Canada (68%) and Germany (60%).
- Japan and South Korea have well diversified electricity production, not depending on the single source for major portion of their electricity need.
- As nuclear is also considered as one of clean energy source, France is the only country among top 10 which is nuclear-heavy electricity producing country.
- Natural Gas is the major source of electricity for Russia (46%) followed by USA (39%).