Annual change in primary energy use in South Africa
South Africa: Annual change in primary energy use was -4.34 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Annual change in primary energy use in South Africa, 1966–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual change in primary energy use in South Africa is -4.34 terawatt-hours, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 107.9% on the previous year and down 293.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual change in primary energy use in South Africa peaked at 104.77 terawatt-hours in 1981 and was at its lowest, -151.78 terawatt-hours, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 191st of 218 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 12.28 terawatt-hours | 2.2 terawatt-hours | 20.56 terawatt-hours | 4 |
| 1970s | 19.96 terawatt-hours | -5.68 terawatt-hours | 35.28 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 38.96 terawatt-hours | -45.67 terawatt-hours | 104.77 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 19.23 terawatt-hours | -19.37 terawatt-hours | 49.58 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.41 terawatt-hours | -78.94 terawatt-hours | 77.15 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.48 terawatt-hours | -61.81 terawatt-hours | 72.22 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | -14.27 terawatt-hours | -151.78 terawatt-hours | 55.27 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 189 Iceland -4.24 terawatt-hours compare
- 190 New Caledonia -4.33 terawatt-hours compare
- 192 Azerbaijan -4.34 terawatt-hours compare
- 193 Belarus -4.63 terawatt-hours compare
- 194 Equatorial Guinea -4.98 terawatt-hours compare
More energy & mining data for South Africa
- Fuel imports 17.7% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 2.5% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 30.3% (2025)
- Gas production 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fuel exports 8.2% (2025)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 10.2% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 56.3% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual change in primary energy use in South Africa?
- Annual change in primary energy use in South Africa was -4.34 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual change in primary energy use recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 104.77 terawatt-hours in 1981.
- What is the lowest annual change in primary energy use recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -151.78 terawatt-hours in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for annual change in primary energy use?
- South Africa ranks 191st out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is annual change in primary energy use rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 293.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual change in primary energy use. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Change in total energy supply relative to the previous year, measured in terawatt-hours.