Key findings: Report-41-01-02 - Electricity, gas and water supply industry, 2024

Income

The total income for the electricity, gas and water supply industry in 2024 was R472,2 billion, representing an increase of 13,3% per annum compared with the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2021 (R325,0 billion). Comparing 2021 and 2024, large increases were reported for ‘generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ (+R121,8 billion) and ‘collection, purification and distribution of water’ (+R19,4 billion).

 

Profit margin

The total profit margin for the electricity, gas and water supply industry was -9,8% in 2024, the lowest since 2016. ‘Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ had the lowest profit margin at -15,3%. ‘Manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains’ had the highest profit margin at 20,4%.

  

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the electricity, gas and water supply industry as at the end of June 2024 was 53 354. This represents a decrease of 0,3% per annum between 2021 and 2024. Over the same period, there was a decrease in employment of 866 in ‘collection, purification and distribution of water’.