SUPPLY OF ENERGY

Australian Energy Supply and Australian Energy Production tables record details for supply and production of primary and secondary energy by product, industry and components of supply, between 2001-02 and 2008-09. Primary energy products are forms of energy obtained directly from nature including coal, natural gas, solar and wind energy, crude oil, uranium, biomass and LPG (which can also be a secondary energy product). Secondary energy products are derived from primary energy sources and include refined products, electricity, liquid/gas biofuels and coal by-products.

Over the period 2001–02 to 2008–09, Australia's total energy supply grew by 3,481 PJ or 19%.

Just over nine-tenths (91%) of Australia's supply of energy in 2008-09 was from domestic production, with the other 9% supplied by imported products. Black coal was the largest contributor to Australia's energy supply over the period, representing 49% of Australian primary energy production (and 44% of total production) in 2008-09. The amount of black coal produced in Australia grew from 7,282 PJ in 2001–02 to 8,904 PJ in 2008–09, an increase of 22%.

Uranium production grew 38% from 3,782 PJ in 2001-02 to peak in 2004–05 at 5,207 PJ, constituting nearly a third of total primary energy supply at that time, before decreasing by 361 PJ or 7% between 2004-05 and 2008-09. Natural gas production grew each year between 2001-02 and 2008-09, with a total increase of 522 PJ or 37%.

Australia's crude oil production fell by 259 PJ or 19% between 2001–02 and 2008–09. Crude oil imports were also down 11% over the period (from 1,057 PJ to 944 PJ). This reduction in primary supply of petroleum was compensated by a 546 PJ (364%) increase in refined product imports over the period. Imports constituted 36% of Australia's supply of refined products in 2008–09.

The supply of primary renewable energy products also experienced growth between 2001–02 and 2008–09. Production of biomass wood and bagasse grew by 13% over the period, while production of solar and wind energy increased from 6 PJ to 23 PJ between 2004–05 and 2008–09.

Households' contribution to primary energy production was 0.2% in 2008–09, most of which was from biomass wood (29 PJ). However, household energy production from solar grew from 2 PJ in 2005-06 to 8 PJ in 2008-09.

Production of refined products (including petrol and diesel fuel) dropped 15% between 2001-02 and 2008-09, but in spite of this refined products remained the largest contributor to Australia's secondary energy production in 2008-09, representing 54% of secondary production in that year. Total secondary electricity production grew by 57 PJ (from 868 PJ to 925 PJ) over the period between 2001–02 and 2008–09, an increase of 7%. Despite this, hydro electricity production fell by 24% over the period (from 58 PJ to 44 PJ), reflecting drought conditions during this time. Of secondary fuel production, liquid/gas biofuels experienced the largest percentage growth between 2001-02 and 2008-09.




The manufacturing industry accounted for 60% of Australia's secondary energy production in 2008–09. Most of this amount came from the chemical manufacturing industry (producing refined petroleum products), with a small contribution from Iron and steel manufacturing (producing coal products). The electricity, gas, water and waste services industry accounted for the remaining 40% of secondary energy production in 2008-09.