Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iceland: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Iceland is placed 5th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 27.82 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 100 (2024).
Share
Energy
5th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iceland 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.
27.82
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Iceland: 27.82. 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 Northern Europe
- 27.82 Iceland
100
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Iceland: 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 Northern Europe
- 100 Iceland
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
76.1
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 20th of 99 by World Energy Council
Iceland: 76.1. 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 Northern Europe
- 83.2 Denmark
02Over time
Which way Iceland 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
IcelandWorld median
Iceland rose from 26.15 in 2000 to 27.82 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2024 27.822 433.7 2023 27.764 452.7 2022 27.881 476.3 2021 27.901 469.0 2020 28.110 482.0 2019 28.048 488.2 2018 27.984 500.4 2017 27.530 506.3 2016 27.628 521.9 2015 27.493 524.8 2014 27.809 522.3 2013 27.793 508.8 2012 27.820 525.4 2011 27.418 521.4 2010 27.240 515.5 2009 27.528 533.6 2008 27.173 517.2 2007 27.923 535.3 2006 27.411 537.5 2005 26.481 521.4 2004 26.112 523.1 2003 26.777 543.1 2002 26.946 551.3 2001 26.256 559.3 2000 26.150 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland was at 100 in both 2000 and 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2024 100.000 32.062 2023 100.000 28.000 2022 100.000 28.881 2021 100.000 28.286 2020 100.000 27.125 2019 100.000 26.296 2018 100.000 25.505 2017 100.000 24.023 2016 100.000 22.218 2015 100.000 21.915 2014 100.000 21.151 2013 100.000 21.593 2012 100.000 19.869 2011 100.000 18.584 2010 100.000 18.572 2009 100.000 17.886 2008 100.000 15.923 2007 100.000 15.586 2006 100.000 15.392 2005 100.000 16.438 2004 100.000 16.445 2003 99.882 16.339 2002 99.880 13.826 2001 100.000 14.023 2000 100.000 15.612
03In context
Iceland 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.
Iceland and Northern Europe
Iceland has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Norway | 2nd | 29.64 | 98.61 | 79.9 |
| Iceland | 5th | 27.82 | 100 | 76.1 |
 Sweden | 6th | 34.91 | 69.33 | 83.1 |
 Denmark | =8th | 132.17 | 89.23 | 83.2 |
 Finland | 13th | 66.91 | 55.78 | 82.7 |
 Lithuania | 20th | 116.1 | 84.32 | 75 |
 Latvia | 23rd | 134.52 | 73.5 | 76.3 |
 Estonia | 34th | 344.17 | 55.66 | 80.2 |
 Ireland | 41st | 270.75 | 46.51 | 76.3 |
| Channel Islands | not placed | — | — | — |
 Faroe Islands | not placed | — | — | — |
 Isle of Man | not placed | — | — | — |
 United Kingdom | not placed | — | — | 80 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Iceland in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iceland is ahead of the world, and behind
19 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 median2
Statistics on which Iceland does better than the middle country measured.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3210037.32No real change since 2014
Iceland: 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 Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8512.2824.85No earlier reading
Iceland: 12.28 · 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 Iceland does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7726.8425.77No earlier reading
Iceland: 26.84 · 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 84th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.219.6673.21No real change since 2014
Iceland: 9.667 · 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 26th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.1055.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 0.105 · 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 compare4
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 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▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 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.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Iceland: 100 · 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.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Iceland: 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 end10
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 12.8570.6612.85No real change since 2014
Iceland: 70.66 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0650.077No real change since 2014
Iceland: 0.065 · 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
Iceland: 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.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Iceland: 0 · 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.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Iceland: 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
Iceland: 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
Iceland: 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.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0070.144Moved since 2014
Iceland: 0.007 · 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.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Iceland: 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 Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.0523.049Moved since 2014
Iceland: 0.052 · 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 Iceland
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP), Operating Coal Power Capacity, Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT), Primary Energy Consumption per Capita, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score and RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score. 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 Iceland’s 16 topics
Energy is Iceland’s 4th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security1st of 1773/4 keys
- Work & Labour1st of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation4th of 1763/4 keys
- Energy5th of 1653/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience8th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality8th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties11th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital14th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing15th of 2003/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 19th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality37th of 1833/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge56th of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 68th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture70th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade93rd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 118th of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Iceland can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern 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
3
UgandaEastern 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 Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysThis page
Iceland5th3/3 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
Iceland 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 Iceland rank on energy?
Iceland is placed 5th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). 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 Iceland?
27.82 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 Iceland?
100 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How have Iceland’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity rose from 26.15 in 2000 to 27.82 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation was 100 in both 2000 and 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Iceland?
No current reading is published for Iceland on Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP), Operating Coal Power Capacity, Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT), Primary Energy Consumption per Capita, RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score, RISE Electricity Access Policy Score, RISE Energy Efficiency Policy Score and RISE Renewable Energy Policy Score. 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 19 statistics on this page come from 6 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
Iceland’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iceland (banner) — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bhutan — 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). Iceland: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iceland/energy