Hydropower generation by region in South Africa
South Africa: Hydropower generation by region was 1.79 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Hydropower generation by region in South Africa, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1.79 terawatt-hours for hydropower generation by region in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 67.0% on the previous year and up 145.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hydropower generation by region in South Africa peaked at 3.16 terawatt-hours in 1988 and was at its lowest, 0.021 terawatt-hours, in 1969.
South Africa ranks 54th of 80 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0.0288 terawatt-hours | 0.021 terawatt-hours | 0.037 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1970s | 1.11 terawatt-hours | 0.025 terawatt-hours | 1.94 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.46 terawatt-hours | 0.56 terawatt-hours | 3.16 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.12 terawatt-hours | 0.146 terawatt-hours | 2.09 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.65 terawatt-hours | 0.8274 terawatt-hours | 2.9 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.2 terawatt-hours | 0.624 terawatt-hours | 3.06 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.72 terawatt-hours | 0.7618 terawatt-hours | 3.14 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), annual growth rate 7.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.1002 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per capita 660.86 current US$ per person (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), annual growth rate 5.31 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per unit of GDP 1.79 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per capita 11,822 current LCU per person (2025)
- Special drawing rights per domestic currency (End-of-period (EoP)) 0.044 (2025)
- Domestic currency per Special drawing rights (End-of-period (EoP)) 22.74 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is hydropower generation by region in South Africa?
- Hydropower generation by region in South Africa was 1.79 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest hydropower generation by region recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 terawatt-hours in 1988.
- What is the lowest hydropower generation by region recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.021 terawatt-hours in 1969.
- How does South Africa rank for hydropower generation by region?
- South Africa ranks 54th out of 80 countries with data for 2025.
- Is hydropower generation by region rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 145.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Hydropower generation by region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Figures are based on gross primary hydroelectric generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.