1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/05/2012   
   Page tools: Print Print Page

Energy

PRODUCTION

In 2009–10, Australia's total domestic energy production was estimated at 17,282 petajoules (table 19.5), of which black coal accounted for just over half (57%), followed by uranium (19%), natural gas (12%) and crude oil (5%). Renewable energy production accounted for only 1.6% (285 PJ) of total production in 2009–10.

In the period 2008–09 to 2009–10, Australia's total energy production decreased by 540 petajoules (3%). This was mainly due to a 31% decrease in the production of uranium (down 1,483 PJ). Increases occurred for other fuels, including black coal (up 761 PJ) and natural gas (up 152 PJ).


19.5 PRODUCTION OF ENERGY

2008–09
2009–10
Change from 2008–09 to 2009–10
Fuel
PJ
PJ
%

Black coal
9 066
9 827
8.4
Brown coal
669
744
11.2
Crude oil and ORF(a)
997
946
–5.1
LPG(b)
104
111
6.7
Natural gas
1 853
2 005
8.2
Uranium
4 846
3 363
–30.6
Renewables(c)
288
285
–1.0
Total
17 822
17 282
–3.0

(a) Other refinery feedstock.
(b) Naturally occurring.
(c) Includes energy from wood, woodwaste, bagasse (produced from sugar cane fibre), biofuels, wind, water (hydro-electricity) and solar.
Source: Energy Account Australia, 2009–10 (4604.0).


Graphs 19.6 and 19.7 show longer-term trends in the production of non-renewable and renewable energy fuels. Over the period 1979–80 to 2009–10, the production of non-renewable fuels has shown an upward trend, increasing from 3,994 petajoules in 1979–80 to 16,996 petajoules in 2009–10 (up 326%). However, there has been less growth in the production of renewable energy fuels, which only increased from 194 petajoules in 1979–80 to 285 petajoules in 2009–10 (up 47%). Renewable energy is still sourced predominantly from bagasse and hydroelectricity. Energy supplies from 'newer' renewables, such as wind, solar and biofuels have increased rapidly in recent years, but from a very low base.

19.6 Production of Non-Renewable Fuels


19.7 Production of Renewable Fuels

 

Previous Page | Next Page


Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.