Work out your South Africa electricity emissions
= 139.79 tonnes CO2e in 2025 (Scope 2 (location-based))
Each kWh × 0.699 kg CO2e, the 2025 grid average for South Africa (Ember).
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South Africa electricity emission factor by year
| Year | g CO2e per kWh | kg CO2e per kWh | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 699 | 0.699 | -2.6% |
| 2024 | 718 | 0.718 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 714 | 0.714 | -2.0% |
| 2022 | 729 | 0.729 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 742 | 0.742 | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 763 | 0.763 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 764 | 0.764 | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 775 | 0.775 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 769 | 0.769 | -1.3% |
| 2016 | 779 | 0.779 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 791 | 0.791 | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 792 | 0.792 | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 800 | 0.800 | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 807 | 0.807 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 804 | 0.804 | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 808 | 0.808 | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 808 | 0.808 | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 809 | 0.809 | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 810 | 0.810 | -0.4% |
| 2006 | 813 | 0.813 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 813 | 0.813 | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 807 | 0.807 | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 808 | 0.808 | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 802 | 0.802 | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 806 | 0.806 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 799 | 0.799 | – |
Lifecycle emissions per kWh of electricity generated in the country (g CO2e per kWh). Excludes imports and grid losses.
What South Africa's electricity is made from
In 2025, South Africa generated 242.8 TWh of electricity. 82% came from fossil fuels, which is what drives the factor up or down from year to year.
| Source | Share of generation, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Coal | 81.4% |
| Solar | 8.0% |
| Wind | 4.7% |
| Nuclear | 4.2% |
| Hydro | 0.8% |
| Other Fossil | 0.8% |
Worked example
Take a small factory in South Africa using 200,000 kWh a year. 200,000 kWh × 0.699 kg CO2e = 139.8 tonnes CO2e, reported as Scope 2 (location-based).
How to report it
Multiply each site's electricity use in kWh, from its bills or meter readings, by the factor for the year. Report the result as location-based Scope 2. If the site buys renewable electricity backed by certificates recognised in South Africa, you can also show a market-based figure, but keep the location-based one alongside it.
South Africa publishes its own figure too: the grid emission factor in its integrated report from Eskom. Use it where a customer, lender or regulator in South Africa asks for the national figure.
UK companies with a site, warehouse or office here should use this factor for that site, not the UK grid factor. From April 2027, NHS suppliers on contracts over £5 million must report their global footprint, so overseas sites can no longer be left out. For your UK sites, use the UK government grid electricity factor.
In Carbon Recycling, set the site's country to South Africa and its electricity is reported with this factor automatically, while your UK sites stay on the UK government factor.
Related emission factors
- Egypt electricity: 563 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- Algeria electricity: 633 g CO2e per kWh (2024)
- Morocco electricity: 602 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- UK grid electricity (UK government factor)
- Electricity emission factors for every country