South African power grid as of 2022
South Africa produced around 245,000 GWh of electricity in 2021.[1][2] Most of this electricity is produced using coal and is consumed domestically. In 2022, 12,300 GWh were exported to Eswatini, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other countries participating in the Southern African Power Pool.[3] In 2022, South Africa imported 10,800 GWh from the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Power Station in Mozambique via the 1,920 MW Cahora Bassa (HDVC) Power Transmission System.[4][5]
Most power stations in South Africa are owned and operated by the state owned enterprise, Eskom. These plants account for 80% of all the electricity produced in South Africa and 45% of all electricity produced on the African continent.[6][7] In terms of share of GDP in 2012, South Africa was the 4th largest investor in renewable power in the world after Uruguay, Mauritius and Costa Rica.[8]
The following is a list of electricity generating facilities within South Africa that are larger than 1 MW capacity. It only contains currently operational facilities and facilities under construction. The net power output in megawatts is listed, i.e. the maximum power the power station can deliver to the grid.
For notable facilities that are not operating or have been decommissioned see List of decommissioned power stations in South Africa.
South Africa is the seventh biggest coal producer in the world and has rich coal deposits concentrated in the north-east of the country and as such the majority of South Africa's coal-fired plants are located in the Mpumalanga province. Around 81% of South Africa's energy needs are directly derived from coal[9] and 81% of all coal consumed domestically goes towards electricity production.[10] Historically this has given South Africa access to cheap electricity, but it is also one of the leading reasons that the country is in the top 20 list of carbon dioxide emitting countries.[11][12][13]
For a more complete list of hydro power stations from large to pico size, see the African hydropower database.
