Electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa
South Africa: Electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables was 199.45 terawatt-hours in 2025. ▲ Rising
Electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa, 1985–2025
Source: Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
The most recent figure for electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa is 199.45 terawatt-hours, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 4.5% on the previous year and down 13.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa peaked at 248.84 terawatt-hours in 2007 and was at its lowest, 135.44 terawatt-hours, in 1985.
South Africa ranks 15th of 208 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 141.17 terawatt-hours | 135.44 terawatt-hours | 148.46 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1990s | 172.87 terawatt-hours | 155.39 terawatt-hours | 192.87 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 224.9 terawatt-hours | 196.07 terawatt-hours | 248.84 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 235.93 terawatt-hours | 226.62 terawatt-hours | 246.05 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 206.56 terawatt-hours | 195.97 terawatt-hours | 215.57 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa?
- Electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables in South Africa was 199.45 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 248.84 terawatt-hours in 2007.
- What is the lowest electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 135.44 terawatt-hours in 1985.
- How does South Africa rank for electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 208 countries with data for 2025.
- Is electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Electricity generation from fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Electricity generation from coal, oil, and gas, measured in terawatt-hours.