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Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Bhutan: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Bhutan is placed 1st of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 23.73 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 100 (2024).
Share
Energy
1st
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Bhutan on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
23.73
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Bhutan: 23.73. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Southern Asia
- 23.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 558.97
100
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Bhutan: 100. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Southern Asia
- 100 Bhutan and Nepal
- Land neighbours
- China 33.16
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
No reading
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Energy Council publishes no 2023 figure for Bhutan, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Southern Asia
- 60.4 Sri Lanka
- Land neighbours
- China 64.4 · India 55.6
02Over time
Which way Bhutan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan fell from 24.02 in 2000 to 23.73 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2024 23.727 433.7 2023 23.746 452.7 2022 23.770 476.3 2021 23.752 469.0 2020 23.747 482.0 2019 23.815 488.2 2018 23.803 500.4 2017 23.791 506.3 2016 23.731 521.9 2015 23.803 524.8 2014 23.776 522.3 2013 23.772 508.8 2012 23.739 525.4 2011 23.816 521.4 2010 23.691 515.5 2009 23.810 533.6 2008 23.803 517.2 2007 23.729 535.3 2006 23.714 537.5 2005 23.664 521.4 2004 23.605 523.1 2003 23.600 543.1 2002 23.853 551.3 2001 23.958 559.3 2000 24.022 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
BhutanWorld median
Bhutan was at 100 in both 2000 and 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Bhutan World median 2024 100 32.062 2023 100 28.000 2022 100 28.881 2021 100 28.286 2020 100 27.125 2019 100 26.296 2018 100 25.505 2017 100 24.023 2016 100 22.218 2015 100 21.915 2014 100 21.151 2013 100 21.593 2012 100 19.869 2011 100 18.584 2010 100 18.572 2009 100 17.886 2008 100 15.923 2007 100 15.586 2006 100 15.392 2005 100 16.438 2004 100 16.445 2003 100 16.339 2002 100 13.826 2001 100 14.023 2000 100 15.612
03In context
Bhutan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Bhutan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan | 1st | 23.73 | 100 | — |
 China | =87th | 558.97 | 33.16 | 64.4 |
 India | not placed | — | — | 55.6 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Bhutan in the topic’s list.
- Bhutan1st
Norway2nd
Uganda3rd
Sierra Leone4th
04Context, no vote
Where Bhutan is ahead of the world, and behind
22 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median4
Statistics on which Bhutan does better than the middle country measured.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3210037.32No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 100 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 1st of 162 · derived.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.770.64925.77No earlier reading
Bhutan: 0.649 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 177th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.212.0943.21No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 2.094 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 129th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8521.5924.85No earlier reading
Bhutan: 21.59 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Behind the world median3
Statistics on which Bhutan does worse than the middle country measured.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10099.21100▲ Improved since 2017
Bhutan: 99.21 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7386.2482.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Bhutan: 6.248 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27905.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Bhutan: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Bhutan: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end12
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8510012.85No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 100 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 013.270Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 13.27 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.576.7149.5Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 76.71 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0410.077Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 0.041 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2733.9164.273No earlier reading
Bhutan: 3.916 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Bhutan: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Bhutan: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0030.144Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 0.003 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04903.049Moved since 2014
Bhutan: 0 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
No current reading for Bhutan
Operating Coal Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Bhutan’s 15 topics
Energy is Bhutan’s best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy1st of 1652/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality10th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security28th of 1773/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions51st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties71st of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation68th of 1762/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience76th of 1933/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 72nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability87th of 1864/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture88th of 1843/4 keys
- Digital & Technology111th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 118th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge120th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 122nd of 1834/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital133rd of 1963/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Bhutan can most readily be measured against.
- 1Bhutan
Southern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Bhutan1st2/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Bhutan on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Bhutan rank on energy?
Bhutan is placed 1st of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity and Renewable Share of Electricity Generation). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Bhutan?
23.73 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Bhutan?
100 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Bhutan compare with India on energy?
India is not placed on Energy, holding too few of its key statistics, and Bhutan 1st.
How have Bhutan’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 24.02 in 2000 to 23.73 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation was 100 in both 2000 and 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Bhutan?
No current reading is published for Bhutan on Operating Coal Power Capacity, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score, RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 22 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Bhutan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Bhutan (banner) — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bhutan: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bhutan/energy