South Africa—Renewable Electricity Output (%)
Category: Energy & EnvironmentSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #153 of 205Updated April 2026
Latest Value
6.4%
2021
YoY Change
+7.3%
2020 → 2021
Global Rank
#153
of 205 countries
Maximum
6.4%
2021
Minimum
1.6%
2008
CAGR
+5.7%
22 years
Last
6.4%
Previous
6.0%
Highest
6.4%
Lowest
1.6%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's renewable electricity output (%) was 6.4% in 2021, ranking #153 out of 205 countries. This represents a +7.3% change from 2020. Over the past 22 years, the highest recorded value was 6.4% (2021) and the lowest was 1.6% (2008). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6.4% | +7.3% |
| 2020 | 6.0% | +14.7% |
| 2019 | 5.2% | +7.5% |
| 2018 | 4.9% | +16.6% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | +34.8% |
| 2016 | 3.1% | +16.1% |
| 2015 | 2.7% | +24.7% |
| 2014 | 2.1% | +23.4% |
| 2013 | 1.7% | -4.0% |
| 2012 | 1.8% | -9.6% |
| 2011 | 2.0% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 1.9% | +10.7% |
| 2009 | 1.8% | +6.9% |
| 2008 | 1.6% | -5.4% |
| 2007 | 1.7% | -19.6% |
| 2006 | 2.2% | +15.0% |
| 2005 | 1.9% | -3.6% |
| 2004 | 1.9% | +11.7% |
| 2003 | 1.7% | -7.1% |
| 2002 | 1.9% | -11.0% |
| 2001 | 2.1% | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 2.0% |
Top Countries — Renewable Electricity Output (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhutan | 100.0% | 2021 |
| 2 | Lesotho | 99.8% | 2021 |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 99.4% | 2021 |
| 4 | Norway | 99.1% | 2021 |
| 5 | Central African Republic | 96.5% | 2021 |
| 6 | El Salvador | 95.6% | 2021 |
| 7 | Ethiopia | 95.4% | 2020 |
| 8 | Tajikistan | 93.4% | 2021 |
| 9 | Andorra | 93.3% | 2021 |
| 10 | Belize | 92.9% | 2021 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Renewable electricity is the share of electrity generated by renewable power plants in total electricity generated by all types of plants.
Methodology
Data compiled by IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, International Energy Agency (IEA), uri: https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/energy-statistics-data-browser, publisher: International Energy Agency (IEA), date accessed: 2025-03-25.