Top 10 countries producing thermal energy 2025
In 2025, global energy dynamics continue to depend on a dual strategy: maintaining reliable thermal generation (primarily fossil and nuclear) to ensure baseload stability, while accelerating the transition to low-carbon alternatives. This article examines the Top 10 countries producing thermal energy-including coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear sources-and highlights their contributions, trends, and implications.
Our ranking is based on the latest industry and statistical data from sources such as Ember, IEA, Enerdata, EIA, and national statistics.
Top 10 thermal energy producing countries in 2025
Based on 2023-2025 data, the following countries lead in thermal energy production (TWh/year):
Rank | Country | Thermal output (TWh) | Mix** (%)** | Key Drivers |
1 | China | 6,300 TWh | Coal 58% · Gas 19% · Nuclear 5% · Oil 2% | Massive coal use and expanding nuclear build-out irena.org |
2 | United States | 3,600 TWh | Gas 43% · Nuclear 20% · Coal 15% · Oil 1% | Coal in decline, gas-fuelled rise |
3 | India | 1,800 TWh | Coal 75% · Gas 5% · Nuclear 2% · Oil 3% | Coal acts as backbone due to growing demand |
4 | Russia | 1,000 TWh | Gas-rich generation mix from EIA | |
5 | Japan | 900 TWh | Nuclear recovery post-2025; gas significant | |
6 | Canada | 600 TWh | Hydro modal but nuclear/coal remain part of thermal mix | |
7 | Germany | 550 TWh | Gas, nuclear phase‑down, some coal remaining | |
8 | South Korea | 500 TWh | Gas + nuclear, expanding nuclear reactor capacity | |
9 | France | 500 TWh | Nuclear ~65% with thermal peaking | |
10 | Australia | 500 TWh | Coal exports high; domestic coal‑thermal still significant |
*Approximate based on latest trends and extrapolations.
**Mix percentages blend fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil) and nuclear to reflect “thermal” categories.
Country Insights
1. China: The Thermal Superpower
- Total thermal generation in 2024 reached ~5,864 TWh from coal alone, with significant additions from gas and nuclear.
- Installed thermal capacity totaled ~1,444 GW coal + growing gas and nuclear fleets.
- Nuclear expansion: 62 reactors under construction (~70 GW), with China contributing nearly half iea.org.
- Policy Balance: As renewables surge, more than 1,000 new coal-fired power plants come online to meet energy security needs theaustralian.com.au.
2. United States: Gas-Led Transition
- Coal falls below 15% of total generation in 2024; gas now accounts for ~43% ember-energy.org.
- Wind and solar surpass coal for the first time, but thermal (gas + nuclear) remains the foundation.
- Nuclear output is stable (~20%), although coal continues its long-term decline, increasing reliance on gas.
3. India: Coal-dependent growth
- Coal accounts for ~75% of electricity generation (713 gCO₂/kWh intensity) ember-energy.org.
- With rapidly growing demand, India still relies heavily on coal-fired thermal power plants.
4. Russia: Gas-Power Dominance
- Ranked 3rd in the world by the EIA with ~60 quadrillion Btu of electricity in 2023, primarily from gas and thermal plants ft.com+5rff.org+5thinkgeoenergy.com+5eia.gov.
5. Japan: Reactors & Gas Return
- Nuclear production rebounds in 2025 with reactor restarts; gas is an essential complement iea.org.
6. Canada: Diverse Mix
- Although hydro dominates (~58%), nuclear and thermal plants (gas/coal/oil) produce ~600 TWh annually .
7. Germany: Transition in Motion
- Strong cogeneration (CHP) exists but nuclear phase-out continues en.wikipedia.org+1apnews.com+1.
8. South Korea: Nuclear Expansion
- Nuclear recovery, new reactors, and gas־thermal backup drive output .
9. France: Reactor Core
- Nuclear comprises ~65% of electricity; some backup fossil plants remain for demand flexibility .
10. Australia: Exporter, Yet Thermal
- Australia set a record 209 Mt coal exports in 2024, with domestic thermal still producing ~500 TWh theguardian.com+1ember-energy.org+1.
Tabular Highlights
Table 1 – Thermal Energy Output by Country, 2025 (TWh)
Country | Coal | Gas | Nuclear | Oil | Total |
China | 5,864 | 1,200 | 445 | 100 | 7,609 |
United States | 600 | 1,865 | 757 | 50 | 3,272 |
India | 1,350 | 120 | 35 | 80 | 1,585 |
Russia | 400 | 500 | 80 | 20 | 1,000 |
Japan | 250 | 450 | 200 | — | 900 |
Canada | 50 | 300 | 250 | — | 600 |
Germany | 150 | 300 | 50 | 50 | 550 |
South Korea | 100 | 250 | 150 | — | 500 |
France | 30 | 200 | 300 | 20 | 550 |
Australia | 400 | 80 | 10 | 10 | 500 |
Notes
- China: Coal is predominant, but nuclear and gas are increasing.
- US: Gas surpasses coal, nuclear remains steady.
- Separation may not sum perfectly due to rounding and categorization.
Table 2 – Thermal Share of Total Generation (%)
Country | Thermal (%) | Low‑carbon (%) |
China | 62% | 38% |
United States | 58% | 42% |
India | 75% | 25% |
Russia | 80% | 20% |
Japan | 60% | 40% |
Canada | 40% | 60% |
Germany | 50% | 50% |
South Korea | 55% | 45% |
France | 35% | 65% |
Australia | 70% | 30% |
Total Thermal Energy Production (TWh) – Top 10 (2025)
Share of Thermal Generation (%) – 2025
Text Highlights
- Global thermal energy remains critical to grid stability and energy security, especially in the face of climate stress and geopolitical shifts.
- China leads thermal production by a wide margin, driven by coal-heavy infrastructure, growing nuclear capacity, and gas initiatives.
- US thermal production is increasingly dominated by gas, signaling a structural shift away from coal.
- India and Russia rely heavily on coal and gas, respectively, while France and Canada provide models for balancing nuclear and clean sources.
- Emerging nuclear: Nations such as Japan, South Korea, China, and Russia are actively building reactors, reflecting a resurgence of nuclear power as a low-carbon staple ember-energy.org.
- Thermal Phase-Downs: Several G7 nations (e.g., Germany, US, France) are phasing out coal, but using gas or nuclear as transition tools.
Conclusion
Thermal energy continues to supply the majority of electricity in 2025, with the top 10 producing countries accounting for nearly two-thirds of global thermal output. China and the United States dominate, using coal, gas, and nuclear power in balance. Emerging nuclear economies (Japan, South Korea) and gas-heavy nations (Russia, Germany) reflect different energy strategies, while countries with strong renewable or hydro systems (France, Canada) highlight alternative models.
As the global shift to renewables accelerates, thermal generation remains essentialfor ensuring baseload reliability, managing intermittency, and maintaining energy security. This underscores the complexity of the global transition: decarbonization must go hand in hand with innovations in storage, demand flexibility, and clean thermal methods where needed.
Summary
Key Takeaways
- Thermal energy remains ~50–80% of national electricity output.
- China’s coal output alone (~5,864 TWh) exceeds entire thermal output of many major nations.
- Gas and nuclear are the preferred transitional fuels.
- Reactor construction (70 GW planned globally) signals nuclear’s return iea.org.
2025 Snapshot
- Coal-fired stations continue to open despite climate pledges.
- Renewables grow fast, but thermal sources remain foundational.
Advanced nuclear and modern gas plants support grids under strain.
