South Africa Electricity Generation & Grid Mix
In 2025, South Africa generated 242.76 TWh of electricity (0.76% of global output, ranked #23 worldwide). Its primary generation source was Coal at 197.5 TWh (81.4% of the national grid), while low-carbon sources (nuclear + renewables) provided 17.8% of total supply.
South Africa Electricity Generation by Source (2025)
2025 Total Output: 242.76 TWh · Carbon Intensity: 699 gCO2/kWh
South Africa Electricity Generation & Capacity by Source (2025)
| Generation Source | 2025 Output (TWh) | Grid Share (%) | Installed Capacity (GW) | 5Y Change | Share of World Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | 197.5 TWh | 81.4% | 47.49 GW | -7.7% | 1.9% |
| Solar | 19.48 TWh | 8.0% | 11.26 GW | +179.1% | 0.7% |
| Wind | 11.32 TWh | 4.7% | 4.33 GW | +76.6% | 0.4% |
| Nuclear | 10.21 TWh | 4.2% | 1.93 GW | +3.1% | 0.4% |
| Oil & Other Fossil | 1.95 TWh | 0.8% | 2.42 GW | +30.9% | 0.2% |
| Hydroelectric | 1.83 TWh | 0.8% | 0.75 GW | +24.5% | 0.0% |
| Bioenergy | 0.47 TWh | 0.2% | 0.26 GW | +14.6% | 0.1% |
South Africa Historical Generation & Emissions Ledger (2000-2025)
| Year | Total (TWh) | Coal | Gas | Nuclear | Hydro | Wind | Solar | Clean % | gCO2/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 242.8 | 197.5 | 0.0 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 11.3 | 19.5 | 17.8% | 699 |
| 2024 | 247.5 | 206.8 | 0.0 | 7.8 | 1.1 | 11.1 | 18.3 | 15.7% | 718 |
| 2023 | 233 | 192.3 | 0.0 | 8.1 | 2.0 | 11.6 | 14.8 | 15.9% | 714 |
| 2022 | 239.2 | 201.8 | 0.0 | 10.1 | 3.1 | 9.7 | 10.5 | 14.1% | 729 |
| 2021 | 245.5 | 210.9 | 0.0 | 12.4 | 2.0 | 8.7 | 7.8 | 12.7% | 742 |
| 2020 | 240.7 | 214.1 | 0.0 | 9.9 | 1.5 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 10.4% | 763 |
| 2019 | 253.1 | 225.3 | 0.0 | 13.3 | 0.7 | 6.6 | 5.4 | 10.4% | 764 |
| 2018 | 256.3 | 231 | 0.0 | 11.6 | 1.1 | 6.4 | 4.5 | 9.4% | 775 |
| 2017 | 255.1 | 228.7 | 0.0 | 14.2 | 0.8 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 10.3% | 769 |
| 2016 | 252.8 | 229.6 | 0.0 | 15.0 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 3.0 | 9.2% | 779 |
| 2015 | 250.1 | 227.3 | 0.0 | 12.2 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 7.5% | 791 |
| 2014 | 254.8 | 229.8 | 3.1 | 13.8 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 7.1% | 792 |
| 2013 | 256 | 233.5 | 3.0 | 14.1 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 6.2% | 800 |
| 2012 | 257.9 | 239.7 | 1.8 | 13.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.6% | 807 |
| 2011 | 262.5 | 244.4 | 0.9 | 12.9 | 3.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.3% | 804 |
| 2010 | 259.6 | 243.5 | 0.8 | 13.5 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.8% | 808 |
| 2009 | 249.6 | 234.7 | 0.0 | 12.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.9% | 808 |
| 2008 | 258.3 | 243.3 | 0.1 | 13.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.7% | 809 |
| 2007 | 263.5 | 247.6 | 0.1 | 11.3 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.6% | 810 |
| 2006 | 253.8 | 240.4 | 0.0 | 10.0 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.3% | 814 |
| 2005 | 244.9 | 231.8 | 0.1 | 11.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.3% | 813 |
| 2004 | 244.6 | 229.9 | 0.0 | 13.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.0% | 807 |
| 2003 | 234.2 | 220.3 | 0.0 | 12.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.9% | 808 |
| 2002 | 220.6 | 206 | 0.0 | 12.0 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.6% | 802 |
| 2001 | 210.1 | 197.2 | 0.0 | 10.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.1% | 806 |
| 2000 | 210.7 | 196.1 | 0.0 | 13.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.9% | 799 |
Frequently Asked Questions - South Africa Power Grid
How much electricity does South Africa generate and what is its #1 power source?
In 2025, South Africa generated 242.76 TWh of electricity (0.76% of global output). Its largest single generation source was Coal at 197.50 TWh (81.4% of the national grid mix).
What share of South Africa's electricity comes from clean and renewable sources?
Low-carbon sources (nuclear plus renewables) supplied 17.8% of South Africa's electricity in 2025, with renewables accounting for 13.6% and wind plus solar contributing 12.7%. Fossil fuels accounted for 82.2% of total generation.
What is the carbon intensity of South Africa's electricity grid?
In 2025, South Africa's power sector carbon intensity was 699.0 gCO2/kWh, with total power sector emissions of 169.68 million metric tons of CO2.