Coal dominated South Africa’s electricity source with over 80% share in 2023

Key Takeaways

  • Coal contributes a staggering 81.8% of South Africa’s total electricity generation.
  • Renewables remain marginal, with wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and solar thermal collectively accounting for less than 8%.
  • Nuclear power holds a modest role, supplying 3.73% of the total output.
  • Hydropower and oil are limited contributors, together making up just over 6%.
  • Clean energy is growing, but slowly, with solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind leading the charge among non-fossil sources.

South Africa’s electricity generation remains overwhelmingly dependent on coal, which produces over 187,000 GWh, more than four-fifths of the nation’s total output. This entrenched reliance highlights the country’s ongoing struggle to transition to cleaner energy sources.

Wind power is the leading renewable, generating 11,586 GWh (5.06%), followed by solar photovoltaic (PV) at 5,259 GWh (2.3%) and hydro at 6,671 GWh (2.92%). Despite being home to Africa’s only nuclear power station, nuclear accounts for just 3.73% of the energy mix. Solar thermal and oil round out the list with modest shares under 5%.

Source:

International Energy Agency (IEA)

Period:

2023
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