Global primary energy use by source in South Africa
South Africa: Global primary energy use by source was 0.8523 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Global primary energy use by source in South Africa, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 0.8523 terawatt-hours for global primary energy use by source in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.8% on the previous year and down 11.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, global primary energy use by source in South Africa peaked at 1.45 terawatt-hours in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 56th of 79 groups 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 | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.1921 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0.7 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.31 terawatt-hours | 1.16 terawatt-hours | 1.45 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.9984 terawatt-hours | 0.2429 terawatt-hours | 1.45 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.6031 terawatt-hours | 0.2625 terawatt-hours | 0.8523 terawatt-hours | 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)
- 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 56.31 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is global primary energy use by source in South Africa?
- Global primary energy use by source in South Africa was 0.8523 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest global primary energy use by source recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.45 terawatt-hours in 2013.
- What is the lowest global primary energy use by source recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for global primary energy use by source?
- South Africa ranks 56th out of 79 groups with data for 2025.
- Is global primary energy use by source rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.1%. 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) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Global primary energy use by source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Measured in terawatt-hours of total energy supply.