Australia's current state of electricity consumption reveals an intriguing composition between fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Over the period from May 2024 to April 2025, more than half of the electricity consumed in Australia comes from fossil fuels, with coal and gas making up the largest shares, at 43% and 16% respectively. On the other hand, clean energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower, account for almost 40% of Australia's electricity consumption. Notably, solar energy plays a significant role within the clean energy sector, contributing just over 20% to the total electricity mix. Wind energy also provides a substantial share, with around 13% of generation, further underlined by a modest contribution from hydropower, slightly below 5%. The presence of oil remains minimal at just under 2%, and although biofuels are a low-carbon option, they make up just about 1% of the mix.
Is Electricity Growing in Australia?
Electricity consumption in Australia has witnessed changes that reflect broader trends. Despite a drop in overall electricity consumption compared to the 2007 record, there is a positive trajectory in low-carbon electricity generation. The latest data indicates that each person consumed around 10,194 kWh of electricity, which denotes a decrease of more than 1,400 kWh per person since 2007. However, looking at low-carbon electricity generation specifically, there is notable growth. The current figure of 3,990 kWh per person represents an increase of 267 kWh from the previous year's record. While the overall consumption might have decreased, the increase in clean electricity generation is a positive signal, indicating a shift towards more sustainable energy practices.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation further, Australia can capitalize on its existing strengths in solar and wind energy. With advancements in technology and increasing cost-effectiveness, expanding solar and wind infrastructure will be a viable strategy for Australia. Furthermore, Australia could look to global examples, particularly from regions with successful integration of wind and nuclear energy into their electricity mix. For instance, Iowa and South Dakota have managed to generate remarkable portions of their electricity from wind, achieving 62% and 60% respectively. Moreover, examining countries such as France and New Hampshire, where nuclear energy contributes significantly to the electricity mix, can provide Australia with valuable insights into how nuclear power can complement its solar and wind efforts to reach a secure and sustainable energy future.
History
In examining the historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Australia, it is important to note several significant advancements. In the past two decades, Australia has made considerable strides in expanding solar and wind capacities. Starting from the late 2010s, both solar and wind energy began seeing accelerated growth. Notably, annual increments in solar energy generation were substantial, with a remarkable rise of 7.5 TWh in 2023 alone. The growth continued through 2025 with solar increasing by 5.9 TWh and wind by 3.5 TWh. There have been observed fluctuations in hydropower, with years of both significant gains and declines, such as the increase of 5.8 TWh in 2011 and a subsequent drop of 4.6 TWh in 2014. Overall, the trend in the last decades shows a concerted effort to boost clean energy infrastructure, highlighting a positive trajectory towards a greener electricity landscape.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.