In 2025, South Africa's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with coal alone accounting for more than four-fifths of the total fossil energy usage. Clean energy plays a smaller, yet increasingly vital, part of the electricity mix, constituting slightly more than one-sixth of total consumption. Within the low-carbon category, solar power stands out by contributing about 8%, while wind accounts for nearly 5% and nuclear energy contributes a little over 4%. This indicates promising growth in low-carbon technologies, highlighting a crucial and necessary shift towards more sustainable sources of electricity.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in South Africa?
Examining the growth trends, however, reveals a concerning drop in overall electricity consumption per person in South Africa, compared to past records. In 2025, electricity consumption is approximately 3,551 kWh per person, marking a steep decrease from the 2007 peak of 5,214 kWh per person. While this decline in overall electricity consumption is worrying, the story for clean energy is more positive. The generation of low-carbon electricity has increased, reaching 648 kWh per person, which marks an improvement of 62 kWh from the previous record set in 2024. This growth in clean electricity usage is a silver lining that underscores the potential for further advancement.
Suggestions
To further enhance low-carbon electricity generation, South Africa can look towards regions that have excelled in solar, wind, and nuclear power. The country could benefit from adopting solar strategies akin to those in countries like Lebanon and California, both of which derive approximately a third of their electricity from solar power. Similarly, South Africa may consider expanding its wind capacity, taking inspiration from Denmark and Iowa, where wind energy forms a significant portion of the electricity mix. For nuclear energy, lessons can be drawn from France, where more than two-thirds of electricity generation comes from nuclear sources. Such examples provide a tangible roadmap for South Africa to diversify and bolster its clean energy sector, ultimately reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating negative impacts like climate change and air pollution.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in South Africa, particularly nuclear, has undergone various shifts over the decades. In the 1980s, the country saw significant increases in nuclear generation, culminating in a notable addition of nearly 4 TWh in some years. However, the following years experienced several setbacks. Particularly concerning were periods in the late 1980s and early 2000s, marked by marked declines, notably in 1987 and 2005. Notably, in more recent years, South Africa has made strides again in nuclear capacity, with significant positive additions in 2013 and as recent as 2025. The introduction and growth of wind and solar energies, particularly from 2021 to 2025, also denote increasing diversification in low-carbon electricity generation, offering hope for a resilient and sustainable energy future.
