Fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa
South Africa: Fossil fuel consumption by fuel was 46.81 terawatt-hours in 2025. β Volatile
Fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa, 1965β2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026); Etemad & Luciani (1991) β with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa is 46.81 terawatt-hours, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and up 8.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa peaked at 47.71 terawatt-hours in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 63rd of 216 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1970s | 1.16 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 1.88 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.04 terawatt-hours | 1.88 terawatt-hours | 2.14 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.82 terawatt-hours | 9.3 terawatt-hours | 19.94 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.64 terawatt-hours | 10.53 terawatt-hours | 39.22 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.77 terawatt-hours | 36.55 terawatt-hours | 44.11 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 44.39 terawatt-hours | 39.71 terawatt-hours | 47.71 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 60 Hong Kong, China 52.53 terawatt-hours compare
- 61 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 51.55 terawatt-hours compare
- 62 Ireland 48.68 terawatt-hours compare
- 64 Ghana 45.99 terawatt-hours compare
- 65 Slovak Republic 44.95 terawatt-hours compare
- 66 Myanmar 43.91 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)
- 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 fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa?
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel in South Africa was 46.81 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026); Etemad & Luciani (1991) β with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fossil fuel consumption by fuel recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 47.71 terawatt-hours in 2024.
- What is the lowest fossil fuel consumption by fuel recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for fossil fuel consumption by fuel?
- South Africa ranks 63rd out of 216 countries with data for 2025.
- Is fossil fuel consumption by fuel rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.4%. 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); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026); Etemad & Luciani (1991) β with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Fossil fuel consumption by fuel. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV Β· JSON β 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in terawatt-hours.