South Africa is an upper-middle-income country in Sub-Saharan Africa with 64.7 million people. Heat makes up 37% of the energy it uses, below the world average of about 47%.
Coal is the largest source of heat (60%), followed by oil (16%). In total, 83% of the heat comes from coal, oil and gas. Electricity makes up 29% of energy use and is generated mainly from fossil fuels (85%).
The country
| Population | 64.7 million2025 |
|---|---|
| GDP per capita | US$ 6,6002025 |
| Area | 1,219,600 km²2024 |
| Urban population | 64%2025 |
| Access to electricity | 90%2024 |
| Access to clean cooking | 90%2024 |
| Final energy use | 636 TWh2023 |
Where the energy goes
Final energy use in South Africa, 2023: 636 TWh.
- Heat37%
- Electricity29%
- Transport34%
Heat in five numbers
| Heatshare of all final energy use | 37% |
|---|---|
| Fossil heatshare of heat that comes from coal, oil and gas | 83% |
| Coalthe largest single source of heat | 60% |
| Electricityshare of final energy use, excluding transport | 29% |
| Fossil electricityshare of electricity generated from coal, oil and gas | 85% |
Heat is all fuel and district heating used in industry, buildings and agriculture. Electricity that becomes heat, for example in electric cookers and water heaters, is counted as electricity because no data is available, so the true heat share is somewhat higher.
Nigeria
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