South Africa's power generation falls 5.2% in September
Stats SA said electricity generation was 5.2% lower in September than a year earlier, but 0.4% higher than in August. Power consumption rose 1.5% year on year, and generation for the year to September was down 6.9%.
Consumption fell 0.9% from August to September. Seasonally adjusted power production in the third quarter of 2026 was 0.4% lower than in the second quarter. Stats SA said 163,747 GWh was generated in the year to September, against 175,941GWh in the same period last year.
Electricity inflows rose 78.4% year on year in September, to 594GWh. Outflows fell 58.8%, to 530GWh. The nine provinces received 16,200GWh, up 1.6%.
Eskom produces about 86% of the country's electricity. Independent power producers add 10% to 15%.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said South Africa and Africa must expand capacity and make power affordable to unlock industrialisation. He said about 600-million people in Africa lack access to electricity. He also said demand from data centres and AI gives South Africa a chance to attract investment.
Key facts
- Who
- Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (electricity and energy minister); Stats SA (statistics agency that released the data); Eskom (producer of about 86% of the country's electricity)
- What
- Stats SA data shows power generation fell 5.2% year on year in September, while power consumption rose 1.5% year on year and dipped 0.9% month on month. Electricity generation for the year to September was down 6.9%. Separately, energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa called for expanded electricity capacity and affordable power in Africa.
- When
- 6 November 2026
- Where
- South Africa, Africa, Northern Cape
- Status
- Reported