Photo: Francisco Antunes · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Italy: Energy
Which countries generate clean, reliable and affordable electricity?
Italy is placed joint 47th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 281.44 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 50.17 (2024).
Share
Energy
joint47th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Italy 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.
281.44
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Italy: 281.44. 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 Europe
- 24.7 Albania
- Land neighbours
- Austria 103.46 · France 40.34 · Slovenia 230.49
50.17
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Italy: 50.17. 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 Europe
- 100 Albania
- Land neighbours
- Austria 86.23 · France 27.53 · Slovenia 41.12
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
74.3
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 25th of 99 by World Energy Council
Italy: 74.3. 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 Europe
- 78.4 Slovenia
- Land neighbours
- Austria 80.9 · Switzerland 82.1 · France 80.6 · Slovenia 78.4
02Over time
Which way Italy 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
ItalyWorld median
Italy fell from 501.62 in 2000 to 281.44 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2024 281.4 433.7 2023 323.3 452.7 2022 377.8 476.3 2021 339.1 469.0 2020 334.2 482.0 2019 351.3 488.2 2018 366.9 500.4 2017 392.8 506.3 2016 389.5 521.9 2015 398.7 524.8 2014 379.3 522.3 2013 399.0 508.8 2012 438.2 525.4 2011 445.6 521.4 2010 446.5 515.5 2009 458.6 533.6 2008 485.5 517.2 2007 504.8 535.3 2006 506.7 537.5 2005 510.2 521.4 2004 511.0 523.1 2003 523.3 543.1 2002 523.1 551.3 2001 498.7 559.3 2000 501.6 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
ItalyWorld median
Italy rose from 18.84 in 2000 to 50.17 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Italy World median 2024 50.17 32.062 2023 44.55 28.000 2022 35.86 28.881 2021 40.75 28.286 2020 42.23 27.125 2019 39.94 26.296 2018 40.00 25.505 2017 35.57 24.023 2016 37.77 22.218 2015 38.93 21.915 2014 43.64 21.151 2013 39.16 21.593 2012 31.24 19.869 2011 27.80 18.584 2010 25.95 18.572 2009 24.19 17.886 2008 18.67 15.923 2007 15.59 15.586 2006 16.57 15.392 2005 16.44 16.438 2004 18.34 16.445 2003 16.37 16.339 2002 17.41 13.826 2001 19.99 14.023 2000 18.85 15.612
03In context
Italy 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.
Italy 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austria | 7th | 103.46 | 86.23 | 80.9 |
 France | 26th | 40.34 | 27.53 | 80.6 |
 Slovenia | 35th | 230.49 | 41.12 | 78.4 |
| Italy | =47th | 281.44 | 50.17 | 74.3 |
 San Marino | not placed | — | — | — |
 Switzerland | not placed | — | — | 82.1 |
 Vatican City | not placed | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Italy in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Italy is ahead of the world, and behind
24 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 median7
Statistics on which Italy does better than the middle country measured.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2385.0948.23▲ Improved since 2013
Italy: 85.09 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2684.1133.26▲ Improved since 2013
Italy: 84.11 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27921.765.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Italy: 21.76 · 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.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8513.7224.85No earlier reading
Italy: 13.72 · 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.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.1152.738▲ Improved since 2014
Italy: 2.115 · 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.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7717.6725.77No earlier reading
Italy: 17.67 · 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 124th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3250.1737.32No real change since 2014
Italy: 50.17 · 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 69th of 162 · derived.
Behind the world median2
Statistics on which Italy does worse than the middle country measured.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 01.4760▲ Improved since 2014
Italy: 1.476 · 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.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.215.0883.21No real change since 2014
Italy: 5.088 · 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 65th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Italy: 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
Italy: 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.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.14436.010.144Moved since 2014
Italy: 36.01 · 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 10010,440100No earlier reading
Italy: 10,440 · 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.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 019.060Moved since 2014
Italy: 19.06 · 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.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04913.453.049Moved since 2014
Italy: 13.45 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 083.70No real change since 2015
Italy: 83.7 · 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 2.58544.322.585No real change since 2014
Italy: 44.32 · 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.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.850.077Moved since 2014
Italy: 0.85 · 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.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 02.620Moved since 2014
Italy: 2.62 · 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.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.594.549.5No real change since 2014
Italy: 94.5 · 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.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5251,230525No earlier reading
Italy: 1,230 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8519.8612.85No real change since 2014
Italy: 19.86 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Italy: 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 4.2733.9934.273No earlier reading
Italy: 3.993 · 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.
No current reading for Italy
Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2016), RISE Clean Cooking Policy Score and RISE Electricity Access 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 Italy’s 16 topics
Energy is Italy’s 11th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Gender & Equality3rd of 1834/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing6th of 2002/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation20th of 1764/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture26th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 32nd of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions34th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology37th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade34th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge46th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties50th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 47th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security55th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience70th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality63rd of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour86th of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 115th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Italy 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
2
NorwayNorthern 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 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Portugal17th3/3 keysThis page
Italy=47th3/3 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.
07Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Roads, railways, water supply and telecommunications are not covered: each would need a worldwide series this site does not hold. Emissions from the whole economy are measured under Environment & Sustainability. Oil and gas production, total energy use, energy-efficiency policy and businesses' experience of power cuts are published here as context, without a better end where none exists.
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 24 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
Italy’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Italy (banner) — Francisco Antunes, CC BY 2.0
- 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). Italy: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/italy/energy