In 2025, South Africa's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than four-fifths of its electricity coming from such sources. Coal alone contributes to just over 80% of the electricity generation. In contrast, the share of low-carbon or clean energy is about 18%, indicating that South Africa is gradually transitioning towards cleaner sources of energy. Solar energy forms almost half of this low-carbon segment, accounting for around 8% of the total electricity, while wind and nuclear contribute nearly 5% and 4%, respectively. This shift towards low-carbon energy sources is crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing air pollution associated with fossil fuel use.
Is Electricity Growing in South Africa?
Despite this gradual shift, overall electricity consumption in South Africa has seen a decline. In 2025, the per capita electricity consumption stands at 3551 kWh, significantly below the peak of 5214 kWh per person reached in 2007. This reduction of 1663 kWh per person may indicate challenges the country faces in scaling up its electricity capacity. However, there is positive progress with low-carbon electricity, as the 2025 generation of 648 kWh per person is higher than the previous low-carbon record of 586 kWh per person set in 2024. The growth in clean energy generation is a hopeful sign amid concerns over overall electricity consumption levels, reflecting South Africa's commitment to bolstering its low-carbon segment.
Suggestions
To further expand low-carbon electricity generation, South Africa can look to successful regions for inspiration. With widespread solar potential, South Africa can emulate countries like Lebanon and California, where solar contributes significantly to their low-carbon electricity portfolios. Likewise, wind energy could see significant growth by following examples set by Denmark and certain U.S. states like Iowa and Kansas, where wind energy forms a substantial part of their electricity generation. Furthermore, committing to expanding nuclear energy can bring stable baseload power, as seen in countries such as France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy has a robust share in the electricity mix. By learning from these regions, South Africa can diversify its energy landscape and enhance its low-carbon electricity generation.
History
Historically, South Africa's nuclear electricity generation has faced fluctuations over the decades. In the early years of nuclear energy adoption during the 1980s, expansions were seen with notable increases, only interrupted by a dip in 1987. The 1990s and early 2000s saw a mixed record, with declines around 2001 and 2005. The following decade maintained this pattern of inconsistency, impacting the stability of low-carbon electricity generation. However, more recently, nuclear power saw a positive turn with consistent growth since 2021. Solar energy also began making significant headway from 2022 onwards, spearheaded by notable year-on-year increases. By ramping up its nuclear and solar energy capabilities, South Africa can solidify its transition towards sustainable electricity sources, ensuring energy security and environmental resilience.
