Over the past year, from October 2024 to September 2025, Australia's electricity consumption has shown a significant tilt towards fossil fuels, with more than half, specifically 59%, of electricity generated from fossil energy sources such as coal, gas, and oil. Coal remains the predominant fossil source, contributing about 45% of the total electricity. Low-carbon, or clean energy, accounts for almost 41% of Australia's electricity consumption, showcasing a significant share from solar and wind together, which provide around 35%. Solar energy, in particular, is a vital component, comprising roughly 21%, while wind energy closely follows with approximately 14%, demonstrating a visible shift towards sustainable energy sources in the country. Additionally, hydropower adds another 5% to the clean energy mix, highlighting the ongoing efforts to balance the electricity generation landscape.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Australia?
Despite these efforts in enhancing clean electricity generation, Australia's overall electricity consumption per capita has witnessed a decline over the years. In 2025, the electricity consumption per person was recorded at 9,858 kWh, showing a decrease of 1,754 kWh compared to the historic peak of 11,613 kWh per person in 2002. Notably, there is a positive trend in low-carbon electricity generation, with the latest figures showing 4,015 kWh per person, marking an increase of 131 kWh from the previous record in 2024. This growth in low-carbon energy signifies a pivotal transition towards a more sustainable energy future, although overall electricity consumption needs to recover and grow to support burgeoning demands from electric vehicles and technological advancements.
Suggestions
To further expand low-carbon electricity generation, Australia can focus on increasing its solar and wind capacities, already substantial contributors to the country's energy mix. Drawing lessons from wind leaders like Iowa and Denmark, Australia could implement similar strategies to achieve higher wind energy shares. For nuclear energy, successful examples from countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy constitutes a major portion, could offer valuable insights into diversifying the clean energy portfolio. These regions have optimized their technology and policy frameworks to enhance nuclear energy's role in their electricity mix, which Australia can emulate to achieve a significant reduction in its carbon footprint while ensuring stability and reliability in electricity supply.
History
Historically, Australia's journey in low-carbon electricity has encountered fluctuations, particularly in hydropower generation, which saw decreases in 1980, 2008, and 2012. However, years like 1981 and 1983 witnessed notable surges, reflecting variable conditions and investment in this sector. Since the turn of the century, wind energy has seen progressive expansion, highlighted by increments in 2014, 2018, and continuing annually from 2019 through 2025, marking a clear upward trend. Solar energy has been on a consistent ascent since 2019, with remarkable annual growth, particularly in 2020 and 2021. Such developments underscore a resilient shift towards sustainable energy sources, while further innovation and investment in clean technologies promise to reinforce Australia's position in low-carbon electricity generation.
