South Africa's nuclear energy consumption has shown considerable fluctuation over the past decade, peaking in 2016 and experiencing a notable downward trend from 2018 onwards. By 2023, consumption stood at 0.096 Exajoules, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 5.49%. However, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years remains negative at -1.96%, reflecting an overall decline.
Forecasted data suggest a slight stabilization with a forecasted CAGR of 0.81% for the next five years and an anticipated growth rate of 4.12%. This signals a cautious recovery in nuclear energy consumption moving forward.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Policy changes favoring renewable energy sources which may impact nuclear energy investment - Technological advancements in nuclear energy that could improve efficiency and safety- Economic factors influencing energy demand and investment in infrastructure