MAIN FINDINGS

INTRODUCTION

The energy data contained in this publication are produced in accordance with the principles outlined in the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), using a supply-use framework. Further detail on supply and use frameworks is contained in the Explanatory Notes.

Data on physical supply and use of energy products are primarily derived from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science publication, Australian Energy Statistics (AES), Energy Updates. Information gathered from this government agency are supplemented by ABS surveys that collect price and volume information. The ABS uses the SEEA to transform AES onto a basis consistent with the System of National Accounts (SNA), enabling linkages between energy supply, energy use and monetary data from the Australian National Accounts.


TOTAL ECONOMY

In 2014-15, Australia’s total net energy supply increased by 5% to approximately 22,026 petajoules (PJ). The majority of this supply was produced domestically (19,921 PJ) and the remainder was imported (2,104 PJ). The main driver of growth in total net energy supply was increased production of both black coal (4%) and uranium (17 %).


ENERGY INTENSITY BY INDUSTRY

The energy intensity of an industry is a measure of the energy consumed to produce one unit of economic output. The unit of measurement used in the following graphs and commentary for each industry is gigajoules (GJ) of energy consumed per millions of dollars of Industry Gross Value Added (IGVA). A higher energy intensity figure does not necessarily imply that an industry is using energy inefficiently. Differences in energy intensity between industries reflect different production processes and the share of energy within the production input mix. In particular, most industries engaged in physical transformation of raw materials will use more energy than service industries.

The energy intensity of Australian industries fell by 1% between 2013-14 and 2014-15. This fall was driven by the Mining and Water Supply and Waste Services industries, the energy intensity of which fell by 8% and 6% respectively. The energy intensity of most other industries remained relatively stable between 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Figure 1.2 shows indexes of energy intensity for selected industries.




HOUSEHOLDS

Energy use per household is affected by a number of factors, including economic (increases in energy costs), technological (increase in take up of photovoltaic and thermal solar energy generation), energy conservation measures (insulation and energy audits), as well as increased energy efficiency of household appliances. Structural changes also have an impact on households over a longer period. For example, the household demographic trend toward more single person households should drive down energy use per household, while being countered by a trend towards larger four or more bedroom houses which consume more energy for heating and cooling.

• Despite a slight fall in 2014-15, per capita energy use has remained relatively steady since 2012-13.
• Per household energy use decreased by 1% (1.1 GJ) between 2013-14 and 2014-15.
• Household extraction increased by 10% (5 PJ) over the latest year, and by 86% (25 PJ) between 2002-03 and 2014-15.