South Africa
power plants.
South Africa has 327 operating power plants in the catalog, 64,212 MW in all. The catalog also marks 3 plants as Retired, with 1,480 MW of capacity. Its operating fleet leans on coal, which accounts for 70.1% of operating capacity (45,024 MW), with solar a distant second at 8.4%. The largest operating plant in the catalog is Kusile Power Station (4,800 MW, recorded start year 2018).
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
South Africa electricity mix
Operating installed capacity by fuel. Each row gives megawatts and its share of the operating total.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Largest plants in South Africa
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Newest plants in South Africa
This table includes 10 of the 24 operating plants with a recorded start year of 2025, largest first. The catalog records years, not full commissioning dates.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Frequently asked questions
Where does South Africa get its electricity?
Across the 327 operating plants in the catalog, South Africa's capacity is led by coal at 70.1% (45,024 MW), then solar at 8.4% and wind at 6.6%. These are installed-capacity shares, not live generation.
What is the largest power plant in South Africa?
The largest operating plant in the catalog for South Africa is Kusile Power Station, a coal facility with 4,800 MW of capacity and a recorded start year of 2018.
How many power plants does South Africa have?
The catalog tracks 327 operating power plants in South Africa, with 64,212 MW in all. It also marks 3 plants as Retired, with 1,480 MW of capacity.
Can I see South Africa's power grid on a map?
Yes. Open nrgmap at app.nrgmap.com and search South Africa to fly to it. Every tracked plant is a marker sized by capacity and coloured by fuel, with the national fuel mix in the side panel.