Income

The total income for the electricity, gas and water supply industry in 2019 was R291,6 billion. The total income represents an increase of 6,4% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2016 (R242,0 billion). Comparing 2016 and 2019, large increases were reported for ‘generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ (+R37,6 billion) and ‘collection, purification and distribution of water’ (+R10,1 billion).

Between 2010 and 2019, ‘generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ gained the biggest percentage share (1,5 percentage points) in total income (from a percentage contribution of 80,5% in 2010 to 82,0% in 2019). ‘Manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains’ lost the biggest percentage share (‑0,9 of a percentage point) over the same period (from 5,6% in 2010 to 4,7% in 2019).

Revisions: revisions were made to 2016 results due to new information obtained after the publication.

Profit margin

The profit margin for the electricity, gas and water supply industry was -3,9% in 2019, the lowest of the four survey years shown in the table. In 2019, ‘generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ had the lowest profit margin at -9,3%. ‘Manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains’ had the highest profit margin in 2019 (21,3%).

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the electricity, gas and water supply industry as at end of June 2019 was 55 796. This represents a growth rate of ‑1,2% between 2016 and 2019. Over the same period there was a decrease in employment of 3 067 in ‘generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’.

Formal employment in the electricity, gas and water supply industry increased from 51 237 in 2010 to 55 796 in 2019 (a gain of 4 559 jobs). ‘Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity’ gained the biggest number of persons employed over this period (+3 463 persons employed), followed by ‘collection, purification and distribution of water’ (+1 015) and ‘manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains’ (+81).