Countries with the most carbon-intensive electricity
Turkmenistan ranks first with 1,306 gCO₂/kWh, ahead of Uzbekistan (1,000 gCO₂/kWh) and Bahrain (902 gCO₂/kWh). The world figure is 458 gCO₂/kWh. 158 countries ranked, latest data 2025.
This is the reverse view of our cleanest grids ranking: the countries whose electricity emits the most CO₂-equivalent per kWh. Values above 700 g/kWh mean a grid runs mostly on coal or oil.
For people living in these countries, energy efficiency and rooftop solar avoid the most emissions per kWh saved. Try our electricity CO₂ calculator.
Ranking rule. Countries and territories that generate less than 1 TWh of electricity a year (mostly small islands) are left out, because one diesel generator or one solar farm can swing their shares by tens of points. Values older than 2020 are also excluded.
Full ranking
Leaders by continent
Africa
- Botswana851 gCO₂/kWh
- Libya827 gCO₂/kWh
- Republic of the Congo716 gCO₂/kWh
Asia
- Turkmenistan1,306 gCO₂/kWh
- Uzbekistan1,000 gCO₂/kWh
- Bahrain902 gCO₂/kWh
North America
- Trinidad and Tobago682 gCO₂/kWh
- Puerto Rico655 gCO₂/kWh
- Bahamas653 gCO₂/kWh
Oceania
- Guam608 gCO₂/kWh
- New Caledonia561 gCO₂/kWh
- Australia525 gCO₂/kWh
Carbon intensity: frequently asked questions
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Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries