South Africa Coal Power: Generation, Share and Trend
South Africa generated 198 TWh of electricity from coal in 2025, 81.4% of its total, according to Ember. That made it the 7th largest coal power producer in 2025 of the 85 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year. Coal supplied 33.1% of the world's electricity in 2025. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through June 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- South Africa generated 198 TWh of electricity from coal in 2025.
- Coal supplied 81.4% of South Africa's electricity in 2025.
- South Africa was the 7th largest coal power producer in 2025 among the 85 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year.
- South Africa's coal generation in 2025 was 8% lower than in 2020, when it was 214 TWh.
- South Africa's coal generation in 2025 was 13% lower than in 2015, when it was 227 TWh.
- South Africa's coal generation peaked at 248 TWh in 2007.
- South Africa's coal share in 2025 was above the world share of 33.1%.
- South Africa had 47.5 GW of coal generating capacity in 2025.
- Coal power in South Africa emitted 167 MtCO2 in 2025, 99% of the power sector's emissions.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Coal generation | 198 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Share of South Africa's electricity | 81.4% | 2025 · Ember |
| World share of coal | 33.1% | 2025 · Ember |
| Rank by coal generation (each country's latest year) | 7 of 85 | 2025 · Ember |
| Coal capacity | 47.5 GW | 2025 · Ember |
| Coal power emissions | 167 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
Coal Generation Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 2000 to 2025Annual statistics through 2025, TWh
| Year | Coal |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 196 TWh |
| 2001 | 197 TWh |
| 2002 | 206 TWh |
| 2003 | 220 TWh |
| 2004 | 230 TWh |
| 2005 | 232 TWh |
| 2006 | 240 TWh |
| 2007 | 248 TWh |
| 2008 | 243 TWh |
| 2009 | 235 TWh |
| 2010 | 243 TWh |
| 2011 | 244 TWh |
| 2012 | 240 TWh |
| 2013 | 233 TWh |
| 2014 | 230 TWh |
| 2015 | 227 TWh |
| 2016 | 230 TWh |
| 2017 | 229 TWh |
| 2018 | 231 TWh |
| 2019 | 225 TWh |
| 2020 | 214 TWh |
| 2021 | 211 TWh |
| 2022 | 202 TWh |
| 2023 | 192 TWh |
| 2024 | 207 TWh |
| 2025 | 198 TWh |
Annual statistics through 2025, % of generation
| Year | South Africa | World |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 93.1% | 38.0% |
| 2001 | 93.9% | 38.0% |
| 2002 | 93.4% | 38.3% |
| 2003 | 94.1% | 39.5% |
| 2004 | 94.0% | 39.0% |
| 2005 | 94.6% | 39.5% |
| 2006 | 94.7% | 40.2% |
| 2007 | 94.0% | 40.8% |
| 2008 | 94.2% | 40.2% |
| 2009 | 94.1% | 39.9% |
| 2010 | 93.8% | 39.8% |
| 2011 | 93.1% | 40.6% |
| 2012 | 93.0% | 39.9% |
| 2013 | 91.2% | 40.8% |
| 2014 | 90.2% | 40.5% |
| 2015 | 90.9% | 38.7% |
| 2016 | 90.8% | 37.8% |
| 2017 | 89.6% | 38.0% |
| 2018 | 90.1% | 38.0% |
| 2019 | 89.0% | 36.7% |
| 2020 | 88.9% | 35.4% |
| 2021 | 85.9% | 36.0% |
| 2022 | 84.4% | 35.6% |
| 2023 | 82.6% | 35.2% |
| 2024 | 83.6% | 34.2% |
| 2025 | 81.4% | 33.1% |
| Year | Generation | Share | World share | Capacity | Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 198 TWh | 81.4% | 33.1% | 47.5 GW | 167 MtCO2 |
| 2024 | 207 TWh | 83.6% | 34.2% | 46.7 GW | 175 MtCO2 |
| 2023 | 192 TWh | 82.6% | 35.2% | 45.9 GW | 163 MtCO2 |
| 2022 | 202 TWh | 84.4% | 35.6% | 45.9 GW | 171 MtCO2 |
| 2021 | 211 TWh | 85.9% | 36.0% | 46.3 GW | 179 MtCO2 |
| 2020 | 214 TWh | 88.9% | 35.4% | 44.7 GW | 182 MtCO2 |
| 2019 | 225 TWh | 89.0% | 36.7% | 43.9 GW | 192 MtCO2 |
| 2018 | 231 TWh | 90.1% | 38.0% | 42.3 GW | 197 MtCO2 |
| 2017 | 229 TWh | 89.6% | 38.0% | 41.5 GW | 196 MtCO2 |
| 2016 | 230 TWh | 90.8% | 37.8% | 39.9 GW | 197 MtCO2 |
Full year by year history for South Africa
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025. World shares are Ember's World totals; ranks compare each country's latest year, which can differ between countries.
Coal Generation Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through June 2026Monthly statistics through June 2026, TWh
| Month | Coal |
|---|---|
| 2024-07 | 18.6 TWh |
| 2024-08 | 17.6 TWh |
| 2024-09 | 16.6 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 16.6 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 16.1 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 15.0 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 14.6 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 13.8 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 16.0 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 15.4 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 16.9 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 17.1 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 17.7 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 17.0 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 15.6 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 15.4 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 13.9 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 12.3 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 13.0 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 12.6 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 13.7 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 13.6 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 15.9 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 16.1 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of June 2026. Monthly figures for South Africa can differ slightly from the annual totals.