Income

The total income for the electricity, gas and water supply industry in 2016 was R242,0 billion. The total income represents an increase of 9,8% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2013 (R182,6 billion). Comparing 2013 and 2016, a large increase was reported for 'generation, transmission and distribution of electricity' (+R49,9 billion).

Since 2006, 'generation, transmission and distribution of electricity' gained the biggest percentage share (+5,7 percentage points) in income when compared with the results of 2016 (from a percentage contribution of 77,5% in 2006 to 83,2% in 2016). 'Collection, purification and distribution of water' lost the biggest percentage share ( 4,7 percentage points) in the same period (from 16,6% in 2006 to 11,9% in 2016).

Revisions: revisions were made to 2013 results due to new information obtained after the publication.

Profit margin

The profit margin in the electricity, gas and water supply industry fell from 13,0% in 2006 to 5,2% in 2016. This was driven by 'generation, transmission and distribution of electricity', which dropped from 12,5% to 2,4% over the same period. The profit margins in 'manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains' and 'collection, purification and distribution of water' increased between 2006 and 2016.

The highest profit margin by type of service was 'manufacturing and distribution of gaseous fuels through mains' at 28,3% in 2016. 'Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity' is the only type of service which had profit margins lower than the overall profit margin in all four years surveyed.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the electricity, gas and water supply industry as at the end of June 2016 was 59 029. 'Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity' employed the largest number of persons (46 287 or 78,4%), followed by 'collection, purification and distribution of water' (12 319 or 20,9%).

Formal employment increased from 42 117 in 2006 to 59 029 in 2016 (a gain of 16 912 jobs between 2006 and 2016). The highest growth in employment since 2006 was in 'generation, transmission and distribution of electricity' (+14 297) and 'collection, purification and distribution of water' (+2 503).