{"id":19524,"date":"2026-05-11T12:28:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T10:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19524"},"modified":"2026-05-11T12:28:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T10:28:05","slug":"media-release-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.statssa.gov.za\/?p=19524","title":{"rendered":"Media Release \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

7 May 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Immediate Release                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total income has gone up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Income for the electricity, gas and water supply industry in 2024 was R472,2 billion. Total income increased by 13,3% per annum over the income reported in 2021 (R325,0 billion). Large increases were reported for \u2018generation, transmission and distribution of electricity\u2019 (+R121,8 billion) and \u2018collection, purification and distribution of water\u2019 (+R19,4 billion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electricity, gas and water supply industry, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey covered enterprises on the value-added tax (VAT) database and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) register with electricity, gas or water supply as their primary or main activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lowest profit margins since 2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Profit margin for the industry was -9,8% in 2024, the lowest since 2006. \u2018Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity\u2019 had the lowest profit margin at -15,3% due to increased spending on purchases (especially diesel).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The industry is employing fewer people<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total number of persons employed decreased by -0,8% between 2021 (53 785) and 2024 (53 354), a loss of 431 jobs. \u2018Collection, purification and distribution of water\u2019 lost 866 jobs, but \u2018generation, transmission and distribution of electricity\u2019 gained 498 jobs. The highest number of persons employed since 2006 was in 2013 (58 485) and the lowest in 2006 (42 117).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lowest electricity generated since 2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total electricity generated in 2024 (214 562 GWh) decreased by 5,0% per annum in 2024 compared with electricity generated in 2021 (225 833 GWh).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coal still dominant despite significant increases in renewable electricity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa\u2019s energy mix in 2024 was still dominated by electricity generated from coal (82,7%), a decrease from 89,8% in 2016. However, \u2018renewable energy sources\u2019 gained the biggest percentage share (+6,9 percentage points or 14 348 GWh) over the same period (from 2,1% or 5 060 GWh in 2016 to 9,0% or 19 408 GWh in 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media enquiries:                                                      Technical enquiries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Felicia Sithole                                                         Itani Magwaba<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Director: Media Relations                        Chief Director: Structural Industry Statistics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FeliciaS@statssa.gov.za<\/a>                                       ItaniM@statssa.gov.za<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

012 339 2401 \/ 076 430 0693                                012 337 6254 \/ 082 905 5143<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

7 May 2026 For Immediate Release                 Total income has gone up Income for the electricity, gas and water supply industry in 2024 was R472,2 billion. Total income increased by 13,3% per annum over the income reported in 2021 (R325,0 billion). Large increases were reported for \u2018generation, transmission and distribution of electricity\u2019 (+R121,8 billion) and \u2018collection,   read more »<\/a><\/p>\n

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