energy.gov.au

Energy productivity

In 2020-21, the Australian economy grew 1.5% to $2.0 trillion. Energy consumption fell 3.6% in 2020-21 to 5,790 PJ.

Energy productivity (gross domestic product (GDP) divided by energy consumption) improved 5.2% in 2020-21 and 28% over the past ten years. Australia now creates $347 million in GDP for every PJ of energy consumed, over $75 million more than a decade ago.

This improvement reflects cumulative improvements in energy efficiency as well as a shift in the economy away from highly energy-intensive industries like manufacturing, towards less energy-intensive industries such as services. Increased use of renewable energy instead of combustion-based generation sources for electricity generation has also had a positive impact on energy productivity.

Australian energy intensity and energy productivity

The chart is a line graph with 4 lines showing GDP, energy consumption, energy intensity and energy productivity. There is an index scale on the y axis and years on the x axis. GDP has steadily increased for decades but flattened in the last two years. Energy consumption was flattening in recent years and has declined notably in the last two years. Energy productivity is increasing and energy intensity is decreasing.

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