What are the Largest Producers of Electricity in the World?
The world produces electricity from multiple sources, which include thermal power plants, hydroelectric plants, nuclear power plants, and renewable sources like wind and solar. However, the selection of the mode of electricity production and its economic viability varies in accordance with the demand and region. For example, wind and solar energy are intermittent in nature, and their storage is a problem. So, even though the cost of renewables has decreased over the years, and their share in total electricity production is increasing, it cannot totally replace other sources.
Rapid economic growth over the past few years has led to higher electricity production and consumption in China, which is now at the top of the table in electricity production, followed by the United States, and India.
Following are the countries with the highest electricity production in 2018:
| Rank | Country | Electricity Production (TWh) in 2018 |
| 1 | China | 7092 |
| 2 | United States | 4429 |
| 3 | India | 1643 |
| 4 | Russia | 1128 |
| 5 | Japan | 1102 |
| 6 | Canada | 663 |
| 7 | Germany | 647 |
| 8 | Brazil | 596 |
| 9 | South Korea | 593 |
| 10 | France | 571 |
TWh: Terrawatt hours
Source: Global Energy Statistical Yearbook 2019
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