Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa
South Africa: Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal was 30.8 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa, 1971–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa stood at 30.8. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is up 4.8% on the previous year and up 463.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa peaked at 30.8 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1971.
South Africa ranks 22nd of 212 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0.02 | — |
| 2003 | 0.03 | +50.0% |
| 2004 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 0.03 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 0.04 | +33.3% |
| 2009 | 0.05 | +25.0% |
| 2010 | 0.05 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 0.06 | +20.0% |
| 2012 | 0.07 | +16.7% |
| 2013 | 0.09 | +28.6% |
| 2014 | 2.15 | +2288.9% |
| 2015 | 5.47 | +154.4% |
| 2016 | 7.22 | +32.0% |
| 2017 | 10.96 | +51.8% |
| 2018 | 10.95 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 12.03 | +9.9% |
| 2020 | 13.39 | +11.3% |
| 2021 | 16.49 | +23.2% |
| 2022 | 20.16 | +22.3% |
| 2023 | 26.41 | +31.0% |
| 2024 | 29.4 | +11.3% |
| 2025 | 30.8 | +4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.026 | 0 | 0.05 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.9 | 0.05 | 12.03 | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.78 | 13.39 | 30.8 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Gas production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa?
- Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal in South Africa was 30.8 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 30.8 in 2025.
- What is the lowest electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1971.
- How does South Africa rank for electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal?
- South Africa ranks 22nd out of 212 countries with data for 2025.
- Is electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 463.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Electricity generation from solar and wind compared to coal. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).