Electricity in South Africa in 2023

In 2023, South Africa's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with almost 85% of its electricity generated from fossil sources, predominately coal, which alone accounts for about 83%. Low-carbon energy sources, by contrast, contribute just under 13% to the nation's electricity mix. Among these low-carbon sources, wind is the leading contributor at a little over 5%, followed by nuclear at nearly 4%, and solar at close to 3%. Oil, another fossil fuel, forms a minor portion of the mix at around 2%.

Suggestions

To increase its share of low-carbon electricity generation, South Africa can take cues from countries that have successfully integrated significant proportions of nuclear and wind energy into their grids. For example, France generates a striking 65% of its electricity from nuclear power, demonstrating how a stable and substantial investment in nuclear energy can lead to a significant reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. Similarly, Denmark has harnessed wind energy to provide more than half of its electricity needs, showcasing the potential of wind power even in nations with moderate resources. By learning from and collaborating with countries like Finland and Slovakia, which also have high shares of nuclear energy, South Africa can develop robust strategies to scale up its low-carbon energy capacity.

History

Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in South Africa, notable developments have happened since the 1980s. In the mid-1980s, nuclear electricity generation started strong with significant increases in 1984 and 1986 but faced fluctuations with declines in 1987 and 1990. The early 2000s saw another setback with a decline in nuclear generation in 2001 and 2005. However, wind energy showed promising growth in the mid-2010s, particularly in 2015 and 2017. Despite a decline in nuclear generation again in 2018 and 2020, 2021 marked a positive turnaround with increases in both nuclear and wind energy. The modest but continuous upward trend in wind energy, particularly noted in 2023, reflects a growing commitment to cleaner electricity sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources