Power sector carbon intensity in the European Union 2023, by country

Poland’s power sector had the highest carbon intensity across the European Union in 2023, with nearly 662 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated (gCO₂/kWh). Cyprus ranked second, with just over 530 gCO₂/kWh. By comparison, Sweden's power sector was the least carbon-intensive in the EU, producing just 40.7 gCO₂/kWh.

Why is Poland’s power sector so carbon-intensive?

The carbon intensity of the power sector is largely associated with the energy sources used for power generation. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have high carbon intensities because they release CO₂ when burned, while renewable energy sources have a much lower or zero carbon intensity. Poland’s energy mix is dominated by coal, which accounts for slightly over 60 percent of the country’s electricity generation, with gas and other fossil fuels contributing an additional 12 percent. Poland is home to some of the most polluting power stations in the EU, which is a primary reason why the country’s energy sector is the most carbon-intensive in the region.

Low-carbon power generation

On the other side of the spectrum is Sweden, which has the least carbon-intensive power sector in the EU. Clean energy sources represent about 90 percent of electricity generation in Sweden, with hydropower the single-largest energy source in the country. Sweden is Europe's second-largest consumer of hydropower, behind only Norway.