Statistics of utility-scale power generation in South Africa in 2020

Abstract

This presentation provides statistics on utility-scale power generation in South Africa in 2020. Coal still dominates the South African energy mix whilst variable renewables surpassed nuclear energy contribution in 2020 by some margin. System demand reduced notably in 2020 due to Covid-19 lockdown and resulting reduced economic activity. 5.6% of system load was supplied by wind, solar PV & CSP in RSA. VRE made a notable energy contribution to the energy mix in 2020 whilst residual demand exhibiting slight increasing need for flexible capacity. 2020 saw 859 hours of loadshedding and seemingly the most intense yet (upper limit 1798 GWh) whilst actually achieved was 1269 GWh.