In 2024, South Africa's electricity landscape remains heavily skewed towards fossil energy, with fossil sources making up more than 83% of the total electricity generation. Coal, in particular, dominates the fossil energy profile, contributing over 82%, illustrating a significant reliance on this resource. On the brighter side, low-carbon energy approaches almost 17% of electricity production. Among the clean energy contributors, solar power leads with about 8%, closely followed by wind at approximately 5%, and nuclear energy providing about 3.5%. The advancement in low-carbon energy, though encouraging, still showcases the need for a stronger shift toward sustainable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat air pollution which is typically associated with fossil fuels.
Is Electricity Growing in South Africa?
Electricity consumption in South Africa has not yet returned to its historic high recorded in 2007, when it reached 5214 kWh per person. As of 2024, the average consumption is around 3815 kWh per person, marking a decrease of about 1400 kWh compared to the previous peak. Despite this, there is positive growth in the low-carbon electricity sector, as evidenced by the rise from the highest of 491 kWh per person in 2021 to a newer record of 634 kWh per person in 2024. This growth of 143 kWh per person highlights a commendable increase in cleaner electricity sources, which is essential for sustainable development. Nonetheless, the overall decrease in per capita consumption signifies ongoing challenges in addressing both energy demand and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Suggestions
For South Africa to bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, it could draw inspiration from regions worldwide that successfully utilize solar, wind, and nuclear energy. Given its ample sunshine, South Africa should look at successful solar initiatives like those in Chile and California, which generate significant portions of their electricity from solar. As for wind energy, regions such as Iowa and Denmark provide excellent models, with over half of their electricity produced from wind power. Additionally, France and Slovakia exemplify effective harnessing of nuclear energy, providing a roadmap for increasing nuclear capacities. By adopting and adapting these successes, South Africa can enhance its clean electricity footprint, contributing to global climate goals and creating a more sustainable energy future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in South Africa presents both progress and setbacks. During the 1980s and early 1990s, nuclear energy generation saw fluctuations with notable increases in 1984 and 1986, contrasted by declines in 1987 and 1990. Post-2000s, nuclear energy again faced challenges, with declines noted in 2001, 2005, 2018, and notably in 2020. Despite these fluctuations, there have been promising advances in other clean energy sources. From 2011 onward, significant advances were made in hydro, wind, and solar, with wind energy marking a steady increase from 2015 onwards. The year 2024 stands out as a significant milestone for solar energy with a large jump in generation, underscoring the potential for continued growth in cleaner, sustainable electricity sources if given proper support and strategic investments.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.