Molly Ayala
South Africa's electricity is predominantly produced by the state-owned enterprise Eskom, which generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in the country. South Africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world, and coal is responsible for most of the country's electricity production. However, South Africa also has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Africa, and there are plans to shift towards renewable energy sources. Electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and understanding how much electricity your appliances use can help you cut back on usage and save electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Source of Electricity | Coal |
| % of Electricity from Coal | 85% - 88% |
| Coal Power Generation Capacity | 39 GW |
| Coal-Fired Power Capacity to be Decommissioned by 2050 | 34 GW |
| Renewable Power Generation Capacity Target by 2030 | 20 GW |
| Electricity Generation Target by 2030 | 77,834 MW |
| Electricity Generation by Coal-Fired Power Stations | 42,000 MW |
| Electricity Generation by Renewables | 6,000 MW |
| Electricity Consumption per Capita in 2023 | 3,200 kWh |
| Electricity Consumption Decrease from 2018-2023 | -2.5%/year |
| Electricity Consumption in 2023 | 195 TWh |
| Largest Electricity Consumer Sector | Industry (47%) |
| 2nd Largest Electricity Consumer Sector | Residential (22%) |
| 3rd Largest Electricity Consumer Sector | Services (18%) |
| Electricity Measured in | Kilowatt-hours (kWh) |
| Power Measured in | Watts (W) or Kilowatts (kW) |
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What You'll Learn
Electricity in South Africa is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours because electrical energy is measured in terms of power used over a certain amount of time. Power is measured in watts (kilo-watts), and energy is measured as kilowatts used for one hour (kWh).
To calculate the cost of using an appliance, you can multiply the energy used (kWh) by the cost of electricity, or the tariff, for your municipality. This can help you understand which appliances are costing you the most per hour to run and make more informed decisions about your energy usage.
The daily energy consumption of an appliance can be calculated using the formula: (Wattage x Hours Used Per Day) / 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption. This formula allows you to determine how much energy an appliance uses in a day, which can be useful for budgeting and understanding your electricity bill.
Understanding how electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours can empower consumers to make informed choices about their appliance usage and energy efficiency, ultimately helping to reduce their environmental impact and save on energy costs.
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The country's largest electricity producer is Eskom
South Africa has a large energy sector, being the largest economy in Africa. The country consumed 227 TWh of electricity in 2018. The vast majority of South Africa's electricity is produced from coal, with the fuel responsible for 88% of production in 2017. South Africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world.
Eskom generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa and 45% of the electricity used in Africa. About 45% of all end users in South Africa receive their power directly from Eskom, with the remaining 55% being resold by redistributors, including municipalities. Eskom's main challenge is meeting the rising demand for power while ensuring economic growth. The company also trades electricity with SADC member nations and purchases electricity from them.
Eskom has welcomed the National Transmission Company South Africa's (NTC) permission to operate a transmission system within the country's territorial limits, granted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). This represents a crucial step in legally separating the transmission business. Despite Eskom's debt challenges, South Africa operates a highly successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) for utility-scale transactions. The programme has granted over 6,000MW of generation capacity across various technologies, mainly wind and solar. The Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) aims to increase the number of megawatts in the nation's electricity grid through private sector investment in renewable energy sources.
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South Africa's electricity is mostly generated from coal
South Africa's electricity is predominantly generated from coal, with the fuel accounting for 88% of production in 2017. As of 2023, about 85% or 42,000 MW of the country's electricity is produced by coal-fired power stations. South Africa is the seventh-largest coal producer globally and had a coal power generation capacity of 39 gigawatts (GW) as of July 2018.
The country's abundant and cheap coal supply ensures low-cost fuel for electricity generation. However, coal-fired power plants are a significant source of CO2 emissions, and South Africa is the world's 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. As a result, the South African government has announced plans to decommission and repurpose outdated coal-fired power plants, aiming to shut down seven such facilities by 2032 and decommission 34 GW of coal-fired power capacity by 2050.
Despite these efforts, coal will likely remain the primary source of electricity for the next decade due to its affordability and the lack of suitable alternatives. During this period, the share of electricity generated from renewable sources is expected to grow rapidly. South Africa has introduced initiatives like the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) to encourage private sector investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Eskom, the country's largest electricity producer, has embraced the transition to renewable energy sources. The company operates notable power stations, including the Kendal Power Station and Africa's only nuclear power plant, the Koeberg nuclear power station in the Western Cape Province. Eskom generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa, and its total nominal capacity reached 44 GW as of March 2019.
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The country is planning to shift to renewable energy sources
South Africa's electricity is primarily generated by burning coal, with 85% to 88% of electricity production attributed to this method in recent years. The country is the seventh-largest coal producer globally and the 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
However, South Africa is planning to shift to renewable energy sources. The country already produces the most solar and wind energy by terawatt-hours in Africa, and aims to build at least 20 GW of renewable power generation capacity by 2030. South Africa has introduced a feed-in tariff for wind energy, allowing many small and big investors to contribute to the wind industry's growth. The government is also allowing commercial and industrial users to generate their own electricity and municipalities to purchase electricity from independent power producers.
South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a successful initiative for utility-scale transactions, with over 6,000 MW of generation capacity granted to bidders. The programme has focused on wind and solar power, with some hydropower, landfill gas, biomass, and biogas. The country also plans to decommission 34 GW of coal-fired power capacity by 2050, shutting down several coal-fired power facilities by 2032.
This shift towards renewable energy sources is driven by the need to reduce emissions and address power cuts that have severely impacted the economy. South Africa's commitment to renewable energy is supported by the UN, which aims to enhance energy infrastructure and reduce emissions through decentralized renewable energy systems. The transition is also expected to create new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector and provide green skills training programmes for workers.
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The cost of electricity is determined by the tariff
Understanding how electricity usage is measured and how much electricity your appliances use can help you manage your energy costs. The wattage of an appliance, which indicates the power it consumes, can usually be found on a stamp or sticker on the appliance. This wattage can then be used to calculate the daily kilowatt-hour consumption using the formula: (Wattage x Hours Used Per Day) / 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption.
It is important to note that the wattage listed on an appliance is typically the maximum power it can draw, and actual power consumption may vary depending on the settings used. For example, a fan set at maximum speed will consume more power than one set at a lower speed. Therefore, it is essential to consider the range of settings and their impact on power consumption when estimating the cost of running an appliance.
Additionally, making simple changes around the house or choosing energy-efficient appliances can significantly reduce your energy costs. For instance, switching from incandescent light bulbs to LED bulbs can result in substantial savings, as LEDs consume significantly less power. By understanding how electricity tariffs work and taking energy-saving measures, you can effectively manage your electricity costs and make informed choices to optimise your energy usage.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity is measured in kilowatts (kW) or kilowatt-hours (kWh). Kilowatts are a measure of power, and kilowatt-hours are a measure of energy.
To calculate the daily energy consumption of your appliances, you can use the following formula: (Wattage x Hours Used Per Day) / 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption.
An electricity tariff is the cost of electricity in your municipality. To calculate the cost of using an appliance, multiply the energy used (kWh) by the tariff.
Kilowatt-hours are a measure of energy used over a certain amount of time, which is more relevant to how we use electricity in our daily lives. While we may be comfortable measuring dietary energy in calories or kilojoules, electricity is typically used for lighting, cooking, and powering devices, so it makes more sense to measure it in terms of power over time.
You can reduce your electricity bill by choosing energy-efficient appliances and making simple changes around the house, such as switching to LED light bulbs, which use significantly less power than incandescent bulbs.
