Renewables
Renewable energy sources accounted for 8% of Australian energy consumption in 2020-21.
Renewable electricity generation has more than doubled over the last decade, but combustion of biomass such as firewood and bagasse (the remnant sugar cane pulp left after crushing) remains just under two fifths (38%) of all renewable energy consumption in Australia.
|
2020–21 PJ |
2020–21 share |
2020–21 growth |
10 year |
|
|
Biomass total |
171.2 |
37.0 |
1.1 |
0.2 |
|
Biomass - wood and other (refer to notes below) |
83.2 |
18.0 |
-2.7 |
-0.1 |
|
Biomass - bagasse |
88.0 |
19.0 |
4.9 |
0.5 |
|
Municipal and industrial waste |
4.6 |
1.0 |
14.8 |
na |
|
Biogas total |
18.0 |
3.9 |
7.9 |
2.5 |
|
Biogas - landfill gas |
13.2 |
2.8 |
4.3 |
na |
|
Biogas - other biogas |
4.8 |
1.0 |
19.2 |
na |
|
Biofuels total |
6.2 |
1.3 |
-7.1 |
-6.9 |
|
Biofuels - ethanol |
4.9 |
1.1 |
-9.4 |
na |
|
Biofuels - biodiesel |
0.1 |
0.0 |
na |
na |
|
Biofuels - other liquid biofuels |
1.2 |
0.2 |
1.6 |
na |
|
Hydro |
54.7 |
11.8 |
0.3 |
-1.0 |
|
Wind |
88.3 |
19.1 |
20.3 |
15.0 |
|
Solar PV |
99.8 |
21.6 |
31.8 |
33.6 |
|
Solar hot water |
19.7 |
4.3 |
6.6 |
5.4 |
|
Total |
462.4 |
100.0 |
10.4 |
4.6 |
Notes: includes wood waste, charcoal, sulphite lyes and other biomass
na – not available
Source: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2022) Australian Energy Statistics, Table R
In 2021, 29% of Australia’s total electricity generation was from renewable energy sources, including solar (12%), wind (10%) and hydro (6%). The share of renewables in total electricity generation in 2021 was the highest on record, with the previous peak being 26% in the mid-1960s.
Solar and wind have been the primary drivers in more than doubling renewable generation expansion over the last decade. Small-scale solar generation grew 29% in 2021, and by an average of 28% per year over the last 10 years. Wind generation grew 19% in 2021 and by an average of 15% per year over the last decade. Hydro power output has fluctuated around a fairly consistent level according to rainfall and market conditions, losing predominance as generation sources diversified.
Recently, large-scale solar generation has begun rapid expansion. Large-scale solar generation has grown from negligible levels before 2016 to 4% of all Australian electricity generation in 2021, representing a five-year growth rate of 1,747%.
Australian electricity generation from renewable sources
