In 2024, South Africa's electricity infrastructure is heavily dependent on fossil energy, with coal alone contributing over 82% of the total electricity consumption. Fossil sources collectively account for over 83% of the nation's electricity. Conversely, the contribution of low-carbon energy stands at a little more than 16%. Within this cleaner segment, solar power represents a significant component, generating over 8% of the total electricity. Wind energy provides nearly 5%, while nuclear contributes a little over 3.5% to the country's overall electricity generation. This distribution reflects a considerable reliance on coal, despite the progressing implementation of solar and wind sources as part of the national energy mix.
Is Electricity Growing in South Africa?
The shift in South Africa's electricity usage over the years is quite evident. The country's recent records show a drop from the highest electricity consumption per person, which was 5214 kWh/person in 2007, to 3815 kWh/person in 2024, marking a decline of 1400 kWh/person. While the overall consumption indicates a downward trend over this period, there is a positive uptick in the low-carbon generation—an increase to 634 kWh/person from the previous record of 491 kWh/person achieved in 2021. This growth in clean energy is encouraging, revealing a determined effort towards sustainability despite the broader reduction in electricity consumption.
Suggestions
To further enhance South Africa's low-carbon electricity generation, the country can draw lessons from other regions that have successfully integrated solar, wind, and nuclear technologies into their grids. For instance, regions like Iowa and Denmark have harnessed wind energy to supply over half of their total electricity, with Iowa generating an impressive 63% of its electricity from wind. Similarly, nuclear energy is a dominant low-carbon electricity source in countries like France and Slovakia, contributing 68% and 62% respectively. South Africa could emulate these strategies by investing in expanding nuclear power plants and wind farms, complemented by solar initiatives inspired by countries like Lebanon and Nevada where solar energy contribution is noticeably significant. Emphasizing these technologies will enable South Africa to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and tackle the challenges of climate change effectively.
History
Historically, South Africa's journey in low-carbon electricity has been marked by both advancements and setbacks. The mid-1980s witnessed a boost in nuclear electricity generation, with significant increases in 1984 and 1986. However, the late 1980s and early 1990s saw noticeable declines. The upward trajectory resumed in the late 2010s, particularly with moderate growth in wind energy from 2015 onwards. Nuclear generation saw fluctuations but amassed some gains such as in 2016 and 2021. Notably, in 2024, solar energy experienced a remarkable surge, indicating a promising future for clean solar electricity. Despite historical variations, the current trajectory suggests an encouraging shift towards sustainable energy sources in pursuit of reducing carbon emissions and advancing the national energy landscape towards low-carbon goals.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.