Renewable energy supplies exceeded household electricity use in 2021-22, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Continued growth in solar and wind production means that, for the first time, the output of electricity from these sectors was greater than total household demand in the same period of time.
ABS head of environment statistics Luisa Ryan said that while some longer-term patterns have continued there are also some emerging behaviours.
“Less energy use in manufacturing continues a longer-term pattern of reduced energy consumption”, Ryan said.
“Meanwhile, household energy has continued to fall since its peak in 2016-17. In 2021-22 household energy use dropped due to lower petrol and diesel consumption.”
The transport industry saw the largest increase of any industry as air travel continued its resumption after the withdrawal of COVID-19 restrictions.
Energy exports of black coal fell 1.3% in 2021-22. This was offset by an increase in Liquified Natural Gas exports, up 7.5%.
