South Africa’s 2022 Grid Emission Factors Report: Advancing Carbon Accounting and Climate Action

The “South Africa’s 2022 Grid Emission Factors Report,” published by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, provides an analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with electricity production in South Africa for the 2022 calendar year. As part of South Africa’s commitment to climate action and its transition to a low-carbon economy, the report serves as a critical tool for carbon accounting and policy development. It outlines four grid emission factors (GEFs): the Domestic Generation Grid Emission Factor (DGGEF), National Generation Grid Emission Factor (NGGEF), Transmission Losses Grid Emission Factor (TLGEF), and Distribution Losses Grid Emission Factor (DLGEF).

Key findings show that the carbon intensity of South Africa’s electricity grid decreased in 2022, with notable reductions in energy production from emissive sources and increased contributions from renewable sources such as hydro and wind. The report highlights the role of GEFs in informing government policies, aiding corporate and international GHG reporting, and guiding emissions mitigation strategies.

This document, which updates the 2021 report, underscores the importance of accurate, annually updated data to support South Africa’s climate change commitments and the implementation of its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan. Stakeholders, including government entities and private sector players, are encouraged to use these GEFs to monitor, report, and reduce emissions linked to electricity consumption.

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