Primary energy use by source in South Africa
South Africa: Primary energy use by source was 11.3 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
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 11.3 terawatt-hours for primary energy use by source in 2025.
That represents a change of up 1.4% on the previous year and up 267.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary energy use by source in South Africa peaked at 11.61 terawatt-hours in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 28th of 79 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 | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.0105 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0.03 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.86 terawatt-hours | 0.034 terawatt-hours | 7.02 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.79 terawatt-hours | 6.63 terawatt-hours | 11.61 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 56.3% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary energy use by source in South Africa?
- Primary energy use by source in South Africa was 11.3 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 use by source recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.61 terawatt-hours in 2023.
- What is the lowest 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 primary energy use by source?
- South Africa ranks 28th out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary energy use by source rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 267.9%. 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 use by source. 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.