South Africa Energy Information
South Africa Key Figures
GDP growth rate: 0.15 %/year
Energy independence: 100%
Data of the last year available: 2019
CO2 Emissions: 7.20 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses: 9.82%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the South Africa energy report
South Africa Related News
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South Africa Related Research
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app
Total Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption per capita peaked in 2008 at 2.8 toe per capita and then progressively decreased to 2.3 toe in 2015. It remained at the same level until 2019.
Electricity consumption per capita peaked at 4 500 kWh in 2007 before decreasing by 20% to 3 700 kWh in 2019.
Total energy consumption has decreased by 2.6%/year since 2017, reaching 129 Mtoe in 2019. Previously, over 2010-2015, total consumption decreased by 0.9%/year.
Interactive Chart South Africa Total Energy Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the South Africa energy report
Crude Oil Production
Total oil production has been decreasing slightly since 2016 from 5.8 Mt to 5.1 Mt in 2019. It mostly comes from synthetic fuels, as conventional production of crude oil is marginal.
The country imported 19.4 Mt of crude oil, and 5.1 Mt of petroleum products in 2019.
The country has a refining capacity of 560 kb/d, with four refineries: Sapref (180 kb/d), Engen petroleum (165 kb/d), Caltex Oil (110 kb/d), and Natref (105 kb/d).
Interactive Chart South Africa Crude Oil Production
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our EMEA Refineries Dataset
Oil Products Consumption
Since 2013, oil consumption has remained roughly stable, except for a drop in 2015 (25 Mt in 2019).
Transport accounts for 67% of that consumption, followed by industry (including non-energy uses) with 19% and residential-services-agriculture with 10%.
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)
Interactive Chart South Africa Refined Oil Products Production
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our EMEA Refineries Dataset
Natural Gas Consumption
Gas consumption has decreased by 4%/year since 2016 to 4.8 bcm. Previously, it rose, despite strong fluctuations, at the average pace of 16%/year between 2004 and 2016.
Gas is mainly used in the energy sector (GTL plant) (61%).
Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)
Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)
Interactive Chart South Africa Natural Gas Domestic Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
Additionally, for more detailed information on the LNG trade, you can request a sample of our EMEA LNG Trade Dataset
Coal Consumption
Between 2008 and 2018, coal consumption remained at around 185 Mtoe and then dropped by 5% in 2019 to 176 Mt. In 2019, 67% of the coal was consumed by power plants.
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)
Interactive Chart South Africa Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the South Africa energy report
Power Consumption
Electricity consumption has been stable since 2016 (219 TWh in 2019).
Industry is the main electricity consumer (49%), followed by the residential sector (22%) and the services sector (18%).
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2019, %)
Renewable in % Electricity Production
The IRP2019 targets the addition of 16 GW of wind and solar by 2030 in relation to 2018, made up of 9.5 GW of wind and 6.5 GW of solar. Wind will account for 15.7% of installed capacity in 2030 and solar for 10.5%.
The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) consists of the development of renewables through a bidding system.
Interactive Chart South Africa Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)
Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
In its first NDC, South Africa is committed to unconditionally keep its GHG emissions between 398 MtCO2eq and 614 Mt CO2eq by 2025 and 2030. These efforts will lead GHG emissions to peak between 2020 and 2025, plateau for a ten-year period from 2025 to 2035 and decline from 2036 onwards.
CO2 emissions from fuel combustion have been decreasing by 1.4%/year since 2014, reaching 422 MtCO2 in 2019, 70% above their 1990 level. They increased quickly from 1990 to 2008 (+3%/year).
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