From 2015 to 2024, South Africa's renewable energy capacity more than tripled, from 3.4 GW to 13.5 GW

  • South Africa’s renewable energy capacity grew from 3.4 GW in 2015 to 13.5 GW in 2024.
  • The country recorded a CAGR of 14.7% over the period.
  • The biggest annual growth was in 2016, when capacity surged by 49.2%.
  • Stagnation occurred in 2021 (0.8% growth) and 2023 (0.0%), reflecting project delays or policy issues.
  • The most recent increase was in 2024, when capacity rose to 13.5 GW, showing renewed momentum.
  • South Africa’s renewable energy capacity is more than three times Nigeria’s 3.7 GW in 2024.

South Africa’s renewable energy journey over the last decade has been remarkable, with capacity more than tripling between 2015 and 2024. The country’s installed renewable energy capacity grew from just 3.4 GW in 2015 to 13.5 GW by 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7%. This progress shows how policy shifts, investment in clean energy, and the push for energy diversification are reshaping South Africa’s power sector.

The growth also reflects the country’s efforts to address its longstanding electricity challenges. South Africa has faced years of power shortages and load-shedding, heavily reliant on coal for energy generation. By expanding renewable energy capacity, the country is not only diversifying its energy mix but also aligning with global trends toward cleaner, more sustainable power sources. For comparison, Nigeria—Africa’s most populous nation—had just 3.7 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2024, less than one-third of South Africa’s.

Source:

IRENA

Period:

2015-2024
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