Primary energy from hydropower in South Africa
South Africa: Primary energy from hydropower was 1.79 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Primary energy from hydropower 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
The most recent figure for primary energy from hydropower in South Africa is 1.79 terawatt-hours, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 67.0% on the previous year and up 145.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary energy from hydropower in South Africa peaked at 3.16 terawatt-hours in 1988 and was at its lowest, 0.021 terawatt-hours, in 1969.
That places South Africa 53rd out of 77 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 | 0.0288 terawatt-hours | 0.021 terawatt-hours | 0.037 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1970s | 1.11 terawatt-hours | 0.025 terawatt-hours | 1.94 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.46 terawatt-hours | 0.56 terawatt-hours | 3.16 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.12 terawatt-hours | 0.146 terawatt-hours | 2.09 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.65 terawatt-hours | 0.8274 terawatt-hours | 2.9 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.2 terawatt-hours | 0.624 terawatt-hours | 3.06 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.72 terawatt-hours | 0.7618 terawatt-hours | 3.14 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 primary energy from hydropower in South Africa?
- Primary energy from hydropower in South Africa was 1.79 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 primary energy from hydropower recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 terawatt-hours in 1988.
- What is the lowest primary energy from hydropower recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.021 terawatt-hours in 1969.
- How does South Africa rank for primary energy from hydropower?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 77 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary energy from hydropower rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 145.9%. 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 Primary energy from hydropower. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in terawatt-hours of total energy supply.