South Africa Hydro Power: Generation, Share and Trend
South Africa generated 1.83 TWh of electricity from hydro in 2025, 0.8% of its total, according to Ember. That made it the 88th largest hydro power producer in 2025 of the 153 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year. Hydro supplied 14.0% of the world's electricity in 2025. 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 1.83 TWh of electricity from hydro in 2025.
Hydro supplied 0.8% of South Africa's electricity in 2025.
South Africa was the 88th largest hydro power producer in 2025 among the 153 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year.
South Africa's hydro generation in 2025 was 24% higher than in 2020, when it was 1.47 TWh.
South Africa's hydro generation in 2025 was 151% higher than in 2015, when it was 730 GWh.
South Africa's hydro generation peaked at 3.10 TWh in 2022.
South Africa's hydro share in 2025 was below the world share of 14.0%.
South Africa had 750 MW of hydro generating capacity in 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
Measure
Value
As of / source
Hydro generation
1.83 TWh
2025 · Ember
Share of South Africa's electricity
0.8%
2025 · Ember
World share of hydro
14.0%
2025 · Ember
Rank by hydro generation (each country's latest year)
88 of 153
2025 · Ember
Hydro capacity
750 MW
2025 · Ember
Hydro Generation Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2025
Hydro
South Africa's electricity generation from hydro each year from 2000 to 2025, in GWh. It was 1.83 TWh in 2025.
Annual statistics through 2025, GWh
South Africa hydro electricity generation, 2000 to 2025
Year
Hydro
2000
1.10 TWh
2001
1.72 TWh
2002
2.08 TWh
2003
830 GWh
2004
950 GWh
2005
1.33 TWh
2006
2.90 TWh
2007
2.87 TWh
2008
1.26 TWh
2009
1.45 TWh
2010
1.14 TWh
2011
3.06 TWh
2012
1.02 TWh
2013
1.10 TWh
2014
1.80 TWh
2015
730 GWh
2016
620 GWh
2017
780 GWh
2018
1.10 TWh
2019
740 GWh
2020
1.47 TWh
2021
2.02 TWh
2022
3.10 TWh
2023
2.00 TWh
2024
1.10 TWh
2025
1.83 TWh
South AfricaWorld
The share of South Africa's electricity generated from hydro, 2000 to 2025, compared with the world share. In 2025 it was 0.8%, against 14.0% worldwide.
Annual statistics through 2025, % of generation
Share of South Africa's electricity from hydro and the world share, 2000 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025. World shares are Ember's World totals; ranks compare each country's latest year, which can differ between countries.
Hydro Generation Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through June 2026
Hydro
South Africa generated 240 GWh of electricity from hydro in June 2026, against 170 GWh in June 2025.
Monthly statistics through June 2026, TWh
South Africa monthly hydro electricity generation, July 2024 to June 2026
Month
Hydro
2024-07
70.0 GWh
2024-08
40.0 GWh
2024-09
60.0 GWh
2024-10
70.0 GWh
2024-11
60.0 GWh
2024-12
60.0 GWh
2025-01
60.0 GWh
2025-02
60.0 GWh
2025-03
90.0 GWh
2025-04
380 GWh
2025-05
250 GWh
2025-06
170 GWh
2025-07
90.0 GWh
2025-08
70.0 GWh
2025-09
60.0 GWh
2025-10
70.0 GWh
2025-11
130 GWh
2025-12
370 GWh
2026-01
150 GWh
2026-02
260 GWh
2026-03
420 GWh
2026-04
340 GWh
2026-05
420 GWh
2026-06
240 GWh
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of June 2026. Monthly figures for South Africa can differ slightly from the annual totals.