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Australia Energy Information

Australia Key Figures

Population:
25.7 million
GDP growth rate:
1.48 %/year
Energy independence:
100%

Data of the last year available: 2021

Total consumption/GDP:*
76.6 (2005=100)
CO2 Emissions:
13.7 tCO2/capita
Rate of T&D power losses:
4.45%

* at purchasing power parity

View all macro and energy indicators in the Australia energy report

Australia Related Research

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

A data overview is available in the global energy statistics app

Total Energy Consumption

Per capita energy consumption is around 25% higher than the average of OECD countries, amounting to 5.0 toe in 2021, while per capita electricity consumption was 9.3 MWh.

Total energy consumption remained relatively stable between 2010 and 2021 (between 126 and 128 Mtoe according to the year considered).

Oil, coal (including lignite), and natural gas have comparable market shares in energy consumption (32%, 31%, and 28%, respectively). The share of coal has decreased by 11% since 2010, while the share of natural gas increased by 6%.

Interactive Chart Australia Total Energy Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Australia energy report

Crude Oil Production

Australia's production of liquid hydrocarbons (crude oil, condensates, and NGLs) increased by 40% between 2018 and 2020, reaching 18.5 Mt, but dropped by 10% to 16.6 Mt in 2021. The production is mostly due to its two largest producing basins, the Browse and Carnarvon basins in north-western Australia, in part due to the completion of the Greater Enfield Project in 2019. Previously, oil production had more than halved between its peak at 32 Mt in 2000 and 2018, due to the decline in production from mature basins.

Interactive Chart Australia Crude Oil Production

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Oil Products Consumption

The consumption of oil products has been decreasing since 2018 by 4%/year, reaching 45 Mtoe in 2021; it remained relatively stable between 2011 and 2017.

The transport sector accounts for about 2/3 of oil consumption, followed by all industries (29%).

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)

Interactive Chart Australia Refined Oil Products Production

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Additionally, for more detailed information on refineries, you can request a sample of our Asia Refineries Dataset

Natural Gas Consumption

Natural gas consumption increased very rapidly between 2006 and 2020 (3.4%/year on average) and dropped by 4% in 2021 to 53 bcm.

Electricity production accounts for 26% of the consumption, the hydrocarbon sector for 45%, industry for 18%, and buildings for around 11%.

Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)

Graph: GAS CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)

Interactive Chart Australia Natural Gas Domestic Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

Additionally, for more detailed information on the LNG trade, you can request a sample of our Asia LNG Trade Dataset

Coal Consumption

Coal and lignite consumption has declined by 35% since its peak in 2009, reaching 94 Mt in 2021. Most of the consumption goes to power generation (91%) and the remainder to industry.

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)

Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)

Interactive Chart Australia Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption

Benefit from up to 2 000 up-to-date data series for 186 countries in Global Energy & CO2 data

View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the Australia energy report

Power Consumption

Electricity consumption increased steadily between 2015 and 2020, by 1.3%/year on average, and remained stable in 2021 (240 TWh).

Industry is the largest user of electricity with 33% of electricity consumption, followed by services (27%) and households (26%).

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)

Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2021, %)

CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions

In June 2022, Australia raised its 2030 carbon emission reduction target to 43% by 2030 (from 2005 levels), up from the previous target of between 26% and 28% set in its updated NDC.

GHG emissions have decreased by 21.5% since 2005, from 621 MtCO2eq to 488 MtCO2eq in 2021, with the goal of 354 MtCO2eq in 2030.

The government committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 in its Long-Term Strategy submitted in November 2021, which was approved by the Australian senate in September 2022.