THE actual estimated consumption of electricity in January increased by 8.3% year-on-year (y/y) compared with 7.5% in December, Statistics South Africa reported yesterday.

The data showed electricity consumption for the three months ended January this year increased by 6.3% (3398 Gigawatt-hours) compared with the three months ended January last year. Consumption, after seasonal adjustment, for the three months ended January this year increased by 1.1% compared with the three months ended October last year.

The actual estimated production of electricity in January this year increased by 8.9% (1718 GWh) compared with January last year.

The estimated production of electricity for the three months ended January this year increased by 5.6% (3318 GWh) compared with the three months ended January last year.

Electricity production, after seasonal adjustment, for the three months ended January this year increased by 0.7% compared with the three months ended October last year.

Electricity delivered to the provinces for January this year rose by 9.9% (1639 GWh) compared with January last year. Increases were reported for eight provinces ranging from 0.4% for Free State to 25.6% for Mpumalanga. Northern Cape was the only province with a decrease (-1.0% or -4 GWh).

Electricity purchased from outside South African borders increased from 1102 GWh in January last year to 1122 GWh in January this year, representing an increase of 1.8% (20 GWh).

Electricity sold to neighbouring countries in January this year increased by 11% (121 GWh) compared with January last year.

Last year the actual estimated consumption of electricity declined -2.7% y/y after declining -2.2% in 2008.