South Africa Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
South Africa generated 243 TWh of electricity in 2025, according to Ember. Coal was the largest source at 81.4%, followed by solar (8.0%) and wind (4.7%). Demand was 237 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 699 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through June 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- South Africa generated 243 TWh of electricity in 2025.
- Coal supplied 81.4% of South Africa's electricity in 2025.
- Solar supplied 8.0% of South Africa's electricity in 2025.
- Wind supplied 4.7% of South Africa's electricity in 2025.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 17.8% of South Africa's generation in 2025.
- The carbon intensity of South Africa's electricity was 699 gCO2/kWh in 2025.
- South Africa's carbon intensity in 2025 was 13% lower than in 2000, when it was 799 gCO2/kWh.
- South Africa had the 22nd highest electricity demand among the 93 countries with Ember data for 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 243 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 237 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 3.66 MWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Net imports | -5.92 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 699 gCO2/kWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 170 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2025 data) | 22 of 93 | 2025 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2025
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2025| Year | Coal | Solar | Wind | Nuclear | Other fossil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 196 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 13.0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 197 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 10.7 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 206 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 12.0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 220 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 10.0 GWh | 12.7 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 230 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 10.0 GWh | 13.4 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 232 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 10.0 GWh | 11.3 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 240 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 10.0 GWh | 10.0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 248 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 10.0 GWh | 11.3 TWh | 1.17 TWh |
| 2008 | 243 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 20.0 GWh | 13.0 TWh | 140 GWh |
| 2009 | 235 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 30.0 GWh | 12.8 TWh | 50.0 GWh |
| 2010 | 243 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 30.0 GWh | 13.5 TWh | 200 GWh |
| 2011 | 244 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh | 12.9 TWh | 720 GWh |
| 2012 | 240 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh | 13.0 TWh | 1.93 TWh |
| 2013 | 233 TWh | 50.0 GWh | 40.0 GWh | 14.1 TWh | 3.66 TWh |
| 2014 | 230 TWh | 1.08 TWh | 1.07 TWh | 13.8 TWh | 3.76 TWh |
| 2015 | 227 TWh | 2.40 TWh | 3.07 TWh | 12.2 TWh | 3.99 TWh |
| 2016 | 230 TWh | 3.01 TWh | 4.21 TWh | 15.0 TWh | 30.0 GWh |
| 2017 | 229 TWh | 3.94 TWh | 7.02 TWh | 14.2 TWh | 120 GWh |
| 2018 | 231 TWh | 4.54 TWh | 6.41 TWh | 11.6 TWh | 1.23 TWh |
| 2019 | 225 TWh | 5.40 TWh | 6.63 TWh | 13.3 TWh | 1.36 TWh |
| 2020 | 214 TWh | 6.98 TWh | 6.41 TWh | 9.90 TWh | 1.49 TWh |
| 2021 | 211 TWh | 7.84 TWh | 8.65 TWh | 12.4 TWh | 3.27 TWh |
| 2022 | 202 TWh | 10.5 TWh | 9.70 TWh | 10.1 TWh | 3.68 TWh |
| 2023 | 192 TWh | 14.8 TWh | 11.6 TWh | 8.10 TWh | 3.68 TWh |
| 2024 | 207 TWh | 18.3 TWh | 11.1 TWh | 7.80 TWh | 1.94 TWh |
| 2025 | 198 TWh | 19.5 TWh | 11.3 TWh | 10.2 TWh | 1.95 TWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 243 TWh | 237 TWh | 699 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 248 TWh | 246 TWh | 718 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 233 TWh | 232 TWh | 714 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 239 TWh | 238 TWh | 729 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 245 TWh | 242 TWh | 742 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 241 TWh | 237 TWh | 763 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 253 TWh | 248 TWh | 764 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 256 TWh | 252 TWh | 775 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 255 TWh | 249 TWh | 769 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 253 TWh | 247 TWh | 779 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for South Africa, 2000 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.
Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through June 2026| Month | Demand | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-07 | 21.3 TWh | 21.6 TWh |
| 2024-08 | 20.5 TWh | 20.9 TWh |
| 2024-09 | 19.3 TWh | 20.0 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 19.7 TWh | 20.4 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 18.9 TWh | 19.8 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 18.3 TWh | 19.0 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 18.5 TWh | 19.2 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 16.9 TWh | 17.5 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 18.8 TWh | 19.4 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 18.3 TWh | 18.8 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 19.8 TWh | 20.4 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 19.9 TWh | 20.6 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 20.3 TWh | 21.1 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 19.5 TWh | 20.3 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 17.9 TWh | 18.8 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 18.3 TWh | 19.3 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 17.5 TWh | 18.3 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 17.1 TWh | 17.5 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 17.4 TWh | 18.0 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 16.3 TWh | 16.8 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 18.1 TWh | 18.1 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 17.3 TWh | 17.1 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 19.0 TWh | 18.7 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 19.1 TWh | 18.9 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of June 2026.
South Africa Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in South Africa?
Coal was the largest source of electricity in South Africa in 2025, supplying 81.4% of generation, followed by solar (8.0%) and wind (4.7%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does South Africa use?
South Africa used 237 TWh of electricity in 2025, about 3.66 MWh per person.
How clean is South Africa's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in South Africa emitted 699 gCO2/kWh in 2025, and low carbon sources supplied 17.8% of generation. That is 52% above the world average of 459 gCO2/kWh.
Does South Africa import electricity?
No. South Africa was a net exporter in 2025, exporting 5.92 TWh more than it imported.