Country energy profile · South Africa · 2025
What percentage of South Africa’s energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied 95.3% of South Africa’s total energy. Coal is its largest single source. That compares with a world average of 86.2%.
Oil 19.5%, natural gas 3.3%, coal 72.4% · non-fossil 4.7%.
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 data. Site updated August 13, 2026.
South Africa energy mix, 2025
Share of total primary energy by source
Key facts
| Fossil-fuel share | 95.3% |
| World average | 86.2% |
| Main fossil fuel | Coal |
| Change since 2010 | -1.7 pts |
| Fossil energy per person | 74.1 GJ |
| CO₂ per person | 6.9 t |
| Fossil share of electricity | 79.6% |
| World rank, fossil energy used | #17 of 80 |
Is South Africa getting less dependent on fossil fuels?
Fossil-fuel share of total energy since 1965, with the absolute amount of fossil fuel used. Share and volume can move in opposite directions.
Fossil share vs. consumption
Left axis: % of primary energy · Right axis: exajoules (EJ)
Oil vs. gas vs. coal in South Africa
Consumption by fuel, 1965–2025
Exajoules (EJ) per year
Total energy vs. electricity
South Africa’s electricity has a lower fossil share than its overall energy use, because transport, heating and industry still lean heavily on oil, gas and coal.
Total energy
| Fossil share | 95.3% |
| Oil | 19.5% |
| Gas | 3.3% |
| Coal | 72.4% |
Electricity
| Fossil share | 79.6% |
| Low-carbon share | 18.5% |
| Nuclear + hydro | 5.4% |
| Wind + solar + other renewables | 13.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of South Africa's energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied about 95.3% of South Africa's total primary energy: oil 19.5%, natural gas 3.3% and coal 72.4%. The world average is 86.2%.
What is South Africa's main energy source?
South Africa's largest fossil fuel is coal. Non-fossil sources make up 4.7% of its energy.
Is South Africa reducing its dependence on fossil fuels?
Since 2010, South Africa's fossil-fuel share of energy has fallen by 1.7 percentage points, to 95.3%.
How much of South Africa's electricity comes from fossil fuels?
About 79.6% of South Africa's electricity came from fossil fuels in 2025, versus 95.3% of its total energy. Electricity is usually the lower-carbon of the two.
Compare with other countries
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, 2025 data (annual series back to 1965). See methodology.