Share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa
South Africa: Share of primary energy from renewables was 2.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa stood at 2.4%. That is the highest value across all 61 years on record.
The figure is up 7.2% on the previous year and up 314.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa peaked at 2.4% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1969.
That places South Africa 63rd out of 79 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
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 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5 |
| 1970s | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5% | 0.2% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.9% | 1.1% | 2.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 60 Ukraine 3.0% compare
- 61 Uzbekistan 2.8% compare
- 62 Russia 2.5% compare
- 64 Azerbaijan 2.0% compare
- 65 Kazakhstan 1.9% compare
- 66 United Arab Emirates 1.4% 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)
- 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 share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa?
- Share of primary energy from renewables in South Africa was 2.4% in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of primary energy from renewables recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.4% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of primary energy from renewables recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1969.
- How does South Africa rank for share of primary energy from renewables?
- South Africa ranks 63rd out of 79 groups with data for 2025.
- Is share of primary energy from renewables rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 314.9%. 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); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of primary energy from renewables. 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 as a percentage of total energy supply.