Share of electricity generation from hydropower in South Africa
South Africa: Share of electricity generation from hydropower was 0.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of electricity generation from hydropower in South Africa, 1985–2025
Source: Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 0.8% for share of electricity generation from hydropower in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 69.6% on the previous year and up 158.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of electricity generation from hydropower in South Africa peaked at 2.0% in 1988 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 1993.
South Africa ranks 139th of 213 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.3% | 0.4% | 2.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 0.6% | 0.1% | 1.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.7% | 0.4% | 1.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5% | 0.2% | 1.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 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 share of electricity generation from hydropower in South Africa?
- Share of electricity generation from hydropower in South Africa was 0.8% in 2025, according to Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of electricity generation from hydropower recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.0% in 1988.
- What is the lowest share of electricity generation from hydropower recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for share of electricity generation from hydropower?
- South Africa ranks 139th out of 213 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of electricity generation from hydropower rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 158.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Ember (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of electricity generation from hydropower. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 41 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured as a percentage of total electricity produced in the country or region.