Based on the life cycle assessment method, this paper developed the life cycle inventory of thermal electricity at provincial level in China. In this study, the data source and accounting method for thermal electricity were described in consideration of varies of primary energy and conversion technologies at each province. The inventory results indicated that, there are large differences between the provinces in context of energy requirements and Global Warming Potential (GWP) for production of 1 kWh thermal power. Averagely, 1.05 kg CO_2-eq. of GWP was produced to provide 1kWh thermal electricity. The GWP values in 15 provinces were higher or lower more than ±10% compared with the national average level. GWP is nearly entirely caused by thermal power the discrepancies are more than ±10% in 15 provinces between based on the national average GWP and provincial GWP. This discrepancy shows that it is necessary to develop the life cycle inventory database of thermal electricity at provincial scale. This provincial database can provide better data for life cycle assessment of products and industry, which also promotes the energy conservation and emissions reduction in electricity sectors at both provincial and national level.