Energy consumption

Energy consumption in Australia increased by 4.4% in 1994-95 compared with an average increase of only 1.5% a year over the past 5 years. In 1994-95 particularly strong growth was recorded by natural gas (increasing by 7.6%) and petroleum products. Lower growth was recorded for the primary fuels with black coal, brown coal and renewables increasing by 2.4%, 3.7% and 2.6% respectively. Electricity consumption grew by 3.5% in 1994-95.

Crude oil currently accounts for 36% of total energy consumption, followed by black coal which accounts for 28%. The most notable changes in the pattern of energy use over the past 20 years has been the increase in the share of natural gas from 7% in 1974-75 to 18% in 1994-95.

Across the sectors, manufacturing, electricity generation and transport continued to dominate energy consumption, together accounting for almost 80% of the total. Growth in energy consumption in 1994-95 was strong in all sectors, in particular mining (9.6%) commercial (6.7%), transport (5.3%) and electricity generation (4.8%).

Energy production and trade

In 1994/95, an estimated 9589 petajoules of energy were produced in Australia, an increase of 6.1% over the previous year. Black coal accounted for the largest share of energy produced in Australia - 54%. Production of crude oil, natural gas and brown coal all increased while uranium production fell slightly.

The most substantial increase in production was black coal (8.1%) primarily to support export demand. Natural gas production increased by 7.7% to meet growing demand in the Australian Market and increases in LNG Exports. Australia continues to be a net exporter of energy, with approximately 70% of energy production in 1994-95 exported. Exports increased by 5.8% over the previous year, with the largest exported fuels (on an energy basis), black coal and uranium increasing by 5.9% and 1.9% respectively. Exports of natural gas also recorded strong growth of 20%.