In South Africa, 77% of urban households are electrified, and electricity is by far the largest single source of energy used by households for lighting, heating, and cooking.  The overall proportion of households with electricity increased from 50% in 1996 to 66% in 2001.  Over the same period, the largest growth in household electrification was recorded in rural areas, which increased from 21% to 49%74 of the total in those areas.  There was a marked increase in the proportion of households using electricity for lighting: from 57.3% in 1996 to 69.7% in 2001.

 

Despite the increased access to electricity, large numbers of people rely on other forms of energy for lighting, heating, and cooking as shown in this map.  In 2001, 2.5 million households used candles for lighting and 737 000 households used paraffin and, on average, 25% of households used wood fuel for cooking and heating while 18% used paraffin for these purposes.  Of these households, 11% used coal for heating.  This highlights the significant number of people who still rely on wood, coal, and paraffin for their energy needs.