South Africa Electricity
Generation (2024)#22 World
242.8TWh+5.2% YoY
Consumption (2024)#23 World
216.8TWh+4.5% YoY
Generation Mix (2024)
Fossil Fuels (oil + gas + coal)
(nuclear + renewables) Low-Carbon
83.7%16.3%
Electricity Generation in South Africa
- Net electricity generation in South Africa reached 242.8 terawatt-hours in 2024 (#22 in the world), an increase of 5.2% from 230.9 terawatt-hours in 2023. This is equivalent to 0.79% of global electricity generation.
- In 2024, fossil fuels generated 83.7% (204.3 terawatt-hours) of electricity in South Africa, renewables 13.1% (31.97 terawatt-hours), and nuclear 3.2% (7.8 terawatt-hours).
- South Africa reduced its fossil fuel use for electricity generation 2024 by 0.37% compared to 2023, with low-carbon sources (nuclear + renewables) generating 16.3% of the total electricity.
Electricity Consumption in South Africa
- South Africa consumed 216.8 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (#23 in the world), an increase of 4.5% from 2023. This represents 0.76% of the world's total electricity consumption.
- Per capita, electricity consumption in South Africa averaged 3,387.6 kilowatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to 9.28 kilowatt-hours per day (#85 in the world).
Installed Electricity Capacity in South Africa
- South Africa had a total installed electricity capacity of 63.43 gigawatts in 2024 (#24 in the world), an increase of 0.8% from the previous year.
- fossil fuels made up 75.2%, renewables at 17.5%, and nuclear at 2.9% of South Africa's installed capacity in 2024.
- South Africa's power plants ran at an overall capacity factor of 43.7% in 2024, with fossil fuels at 48.9%, nuclear at 48% and hydro at 44.2%.
Electricity Imports & Exports in South Africa
- South Africa imported 10.7 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (≈4.9% of consumption).
- South Africa exported 12 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024 (≈4.9% of generation).
- This made South Africa a net exporter of 1.3 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024.
Grid Efficiency in South Africa
- Distribution losses in South Africa were 24.64 terawatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to 10.1% of total generation, up from 8.4% in 2014.
Electricity Balance in South Africa
- In 2024, South Africa generated approximately 0.67 terawatt-hours per day and consumed 0.59 terawatt-hours per day. This represents a daily surplus of 0.07 terawatt-hours.
South Africa Electricity History (1980-2024)
| Generation | Consumption | Capacity | Trade | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 242.8 | +5.2% | 22 | 0.79% | 216.8 | +4.5% | 23 | 0.76% | 3,387.6 | 63.43 | +0.8% | 24 | 0.65% | 10.7 | 12 | −1.3 | 24.64 |
| 2023 | 230.9 | −1.2% | 22 | 0.78% | 207.5 | −0.38% | 23 | 0.76% | 3,282.4 | 62.92 | −4.5% | 22 | 0.69% | 10.71 | 11.26 | −0.55 | 22.84 |
| 2022 | 233.7 | −2.2% | 22 | 0.82% | 208.3 | −1.1% | 22 | 0.79% | 3,339.1 | 65.87 | +1% | 21 | 0.77% | 10.76 | 12.27 | −1.51 | 23.88 |
| 2021 | 239 | +1.3% | 22 | 0.86% | 210.6 | +1.7% | 22 | 0.82% | 3,424.2 | 65.19 | +4.3% | 21 | 0.80% | 10.14 | 13.71 | −3.57 | 24.81 |
| 2020 | 235.9 | −4.5% | 22 | 0.89% | 207 | −5.4% | 22 | 0.84% | 3,418.6 | 62.49 | +2.5% | 21 | 0.80% | 9.83 | 13.65 | −3.82 | 25.08 |
| 2019 | 247 | −1.7% | 21 | 0.93% | 218.9 | −2.2% | 22 | 0.89% | 3,674.2 | 60.99 | +5.1% | 20 | 0.82% | 9.8 | 14.98 | −5.17 | 22.9 |
| 2018 | 251.2 | +0.48% | 21 | 0.96% | 223.8 | +0.82% | 21 | 0.93% | 3,817.6 | 58 | +7.9% | 20 | 0.81% | 9.69 | 14.39 | −4.7 | 22.74 |
| 2017 | 250 | +0.76% | 21 | 0.99% | 221.9 | +0.55% | 21 | 0.95% | 3,850.7 | 53.75 | +7.7% | 20 | 0.78% | 8.57 | 15.2 | −6.63 | 21.43 |
| 2016 | 248.1 | +1.5% | 20 | 1.0% | 220.7 | −1.1% | 20 | 0.98% | 3,854.9 | 49.88 | +5.5% | 21 | 0.75% | 10.56 | 16.55 | −5.99 | 21.4 |
| 2015 | 244.6 | −2% | 21 | 1.0% | 223.1 | −1.2% | 21 | 1.0% | 3,933.4 | 47.27 | +2.4% | 22 | 0.75% | 13.06 | 14.61 | −1.55 | 19.9 |
| 2014 | 249.5 | −0.88% | 19 | 1.1% | 225.9 | +0.07% | 19 | 1.0% | 4,064 | 46.15 | −0.36% | 22 | 0.76% | 11.18 | 13.84 | −2.66 | 20.94 |
| 2013 | 251.8 | −1% | 17 | 1.1% | 225.8 | −0.61% | 18 | 1.1% | 4,129 | 46.32 | −0.28% | 22 | 0.79% | 9.43 | 13.93 | −4.5 | 21.49 |
| 2012 | 254.4 | −1.4% | 16 | 1.1% | 227.1 | −2.5% | 18 | 1.1% | 4,223.4 | 46.45 | +0.08% | 22 | 0.83% | 10.01 | 15.04 | −5.03 | 22.22 |
| 2011 | 258.1 | +0.6% | 15 | 1.2% | 233 | +1.5% | 17 | 1.2% | 4,396.4 | 46.41 | +0.07% | 22 | 0.87% | 11.89 | 14.96 | −3.07 | 22 |
| 2010 | 256.5 | +4.8% | 15 | 1.2% | 229.6 | +5% | 17 | 1.2% | 4,385.9 | 46.38 | +4.6% | 20 | 0.91% | 12.19 | 14.67 | −2.48 | 24.47 |
| 2009 | 244.7 | −3.8% | 16 | 1.2% | 218.7 | −4.2% | 16 | 1.2% | 4,227.1 | 44.36 | +0% | 21 | 0.91% | 12.3 | 14.05 | −1.76 | 24.28 |
| 2008 | 254.3 | −2.4% | 15 | 1.3% | 228.2 | −3% | 14 | 1.3% | 4,464.7 | 44.36 | +3.2% | 20 | 0.95% | 10.57 | 14.17 | −3.6 | 22.47 |
| 2007 | 260.5 | +4.3% | 15 | 1.3% | 235.3 | +4.6% | 14 | 1.3% | 4,657.6 | 42.99 | +0.51% | 19 | 0.96% | 11.35 | 14.5 | −3.15 | 22.02 |
| 2006 | 249.8 | +3.3% | 15 | 1.3% | 224.9 | +2.8% | 14 | 1.3% | 4,499 | 42.77 | +1.4% | 19 | 0.99% | 10.62 | 13.59 | −2.97 | 21.87 |
| 2005 | 241.7 | +0.23% | 15 | 1.3% | 218.8 | +2.4% | 14 | 1.3% | 4,421.5 | 42.17 | +0% | 18 | 1.0% | 11.08 | 13.42 | −2.34 | 20.56 |
| 2004 | 241.2 | +4.8% | 14 | 1.4% | 213.6 | +2.2% | 15 | 1.4% | 4,360.6 | 42.17 | +0.1% | 17 | 1.1% | 9.82 | 13.25 | −3.44 | 24.11 |
| 2003 | 230.2 | +5.5% | 15 | 1.4% | 209 | +1.1% | 15 | 1.4% | 4,309.9 | 42.13 | +0% | 17 | 1.1% | 8.19 | 10.26 | −2.07 | 19.13 |
| 2002 | 218.2 | +5% | 15 | 1.4% | 206.7 | +6.6% | 15 | 1.4% | 4,304 | 42.13 | −0.09% | 17 | 1.1% | 9.5 | 7.24 | 2.25 | 13.82 |
| 2001 | 207.9 | +0.35% | 16 | 1.4% | 193.9 | −4.2% | 15 | 1.4% | 4,075.9 | 42.16 | −9.1% | 17 | 1.2% | 9.2 | 7 | 2.2 | 16.25 |
| 2000 | 207.2 | +9.9% | 15 | 1.4% | 202.5 | +16.5% | 13 | 1.5% | 4,293.3 | 46.36 | +12.5% | 15 | 1.3% | 15.72 | 3.39 | 12.33 | 17.05 |
| 1999 | 188.5 | −1.3% | 15 | 1.3% | 173.9 | +1.1% | 15 | 1.4% | 3,720.3 | 41.22 | +4.5% | 16 | 1.3% | 6.67 | 4.5 | 2.17 | 16.81 |
| 1998 | 191 | −2.1% | 13 | 1.4% | 172 | −0.18% | 14 | 1.4% | 3,722 | 39.45 | +0.8% | 16 | 1.2% | 2.63 | 5.09 | −2.46 | 16.53 |
| 1997 | 195.1 | +4.8% | 13 | 1.5% | 172.4 | +4.2% | 13 | 1.4% | 3,774.2 | 39.13 | +7% | 16 | 1.2% | 0.005 | 6.62 | −6.61 | 16.09 |
| 1996 | 186.2 | +5.8% | 13 | 1.4% | 165.4 | +2.3% | 13 | 1.4% | 3,664.9 | 36.57 | −3.1% | 17 | 1.2% | 0.03 | 5.55 | −5.52 | 15.29 |
| 1995 | 176.1 | +3.1% | 14 | 1.4% | 161.7 | +4.9% | 14 | 1.4% | 3,629.6 | 37.76 | +5.1% | 15 | 1.2% | 0.15 | 3 | −2.85 | 11.53 |
| 1994 | 170.7 | +4.6% | 14 | 1.4% | 154.1 | +4.1% | 14 | 1.4% | 3,501.9 | 35.94 | −4.5% | 15 | 1.2% | 0.05 | 2.63 | −2.57 | 14.03 |
| 1993 | 163.3 | +3.9% | 13 | 1.4% | 148 | +3.1% | 13 | 1.4% | 3,418.7 | 37.65 | +2.1% | 15 | 1.3% | 0.1 | 2.59 | −2.49 | 12.76 |
| 1992 | 157.1 | −1.1% | 13 | 1.4% | 143.6 | −1.8% | 13 | 1.3% | 3,382.8 | 36.86 | +1.7% | 15 | 1.3% | 0.35 | 1.82 | −1.47 | 12.03 |
| 1991 | 158.9 | +1.8% | 11 | 1.4% | 146.3 | +1.1% | 11 | 1.4% | 3,508.5 | 36.24 | +7% | 13 | 1.3% | 0.25 | 1.88 | −1.63 | 10.98 |
| 1990 | 156 | +1.7% | 10 | 1.4% | 144.7 | +0.05% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,551 | 33.85 | +4.4% | 12 | 1.2% | 0.27 | 1.61 | −1.34 | 9.98 |
| 1989 | 153.4 | +3.5% | 10 | 1.4% | 144.6 | +3% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,649.4 | 32.42 | +3% | 13 | 1.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.77 |
| 1988 | 148.1 | +4.3% | 10 | 1.4% | 140.3 | +4.7% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,647.2 | 31.48 | +6.2% | 13 | 1.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.78 |
| 1987 | 142 | +2.7% | 11 | 1.4% | 134 | +1.4% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,590.5 | 29.63 | +11% | 14 | 1.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.99 |
| 1986 | 138.3 | +3.8% | 10 | 1.4% | 132.1 | +6% | 10 | 1.5% | 3,652 | 26.7 | +9.5% | 14 | 1.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.14 |
| 1985 | 133.2 | +4.6% | 11 | 1.4% | 124.6 | +4.7% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,556.4 | 24.37 | −4.3% | 14 | 1.0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.61 |
| 1984 | 127.4 | +11.9% | 10 | 1.4% | 119 | +13.9% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,511.8 | 25.47 | +3.7% | 14 | 1.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.37 |
| 1983 | 113.9 | +1.7% | 12 | 1.3% | 104.5 | +1.2% | 10 | 1.3% | 3,191.8 | 24.56 | +2.5% | 14 | 1.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.37 |
| 1982 | 111.9 | +4.7% | 11 | 1.4% | 103.3 | +4.4% | 10 | 1.4% | 3,266.3 | 23.96 | +0.42% | 14 | 1.1% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.65 |
| 1981 | 106.9 | +14.9% | 12 | 1.3% | 98.89 | +15.6% | 11 | 1.3% | 3,238 | 23.86 | +16.1% | 14 | 1.2% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.04 |
| 1980 | 93.07 | — | 13 | 1.2% | 85.52 | — | 13 | 1.2% | 2,897.1 | 20.55 | — | 14 | 1.0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.55 |
See also
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Statistics.