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Australian Energy Statistics, Table O Electricity generation by fuel type 2019-20 and 2020

Publisher

Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

Date

Topic

Electricity
Electricity generation
Energy data

Table O of the Australian Energy Statistics has been updated to include estimates for 2019‑20 and calendar year 2020 using the latest data available on Australia’s total electricity generation.

These statistics cover all electricity generation in Australia, including by power plants and by businesses and households for their own use. 

Total electricity generation in Australia was estimated to be 265,232 gigawatt hours (GWh) in calendar year 2020, remaining materially unchanged since 2019.

Thermal sources contributed 200,566 GWh (76%) of total electricity generation in 2020.

Coal accounted for the majority of electricity generation, at 54% of total generation in 2020.

Renewable sources contributed an estimated 64,667 GWh, making up 24% of Australia’s total electricity generation.

The largest source of renewable generation was solar (9% of total generation) followed by wind (9%) and hydro (6%).

The full Australian Energy Statistics will be published later in the year.

Documents:

Australian Energy Statistics, Table O Electricity generation by fuel type 2019-20 and 2020 (PDF 190 KB)

Australian Energy Statistics, Table O Electricity generation by fuel type 2019-20 and 2020 (XLS 139 KB)

Australia Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 265, 232 gigawatt hours. 24 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 21 per cent in 2019. 20 per cent of electricity generation came from natural gas-fired generation. 54 per cent of electricity generation came from coal-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Australia (PDF 650KB)

New South Wales Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 69,398 gigawatt hours, down 4 per cent from 2019. 21 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 17 per cent in 2019. 76 per cent of electricity generation came from coal-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - NSW (PDF 649KB)

Victoria Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 50,531 gigawatt hours, up 4 per cent from 2019. 27 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 24 per cent in 2019. 68 per cent of electricity generation came from coal-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Victoria (PDF 649KB)

Queensland Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 70,837 gigawatt hours. 16 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 13 per cent in 2019. 16 per cent of electricity generation came from natural gas-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Queensland (PDF 649KB)

Western Australia Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 43,568 gigawatt hours, up 2 per cent from 2019. 12 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 10 per cent in 2019. 62 per cent of electricity generation came from natural gas-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Western Australia (PDF 5649KB)

South Australia Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 14,837 gigawatt hours, down 5 per cent from 2019. 58 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 51 per cent in 2019. 41 per cent of electricity generation came from natural gas-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - South Australia (PDF 649KB)

Tasmania Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 11,041 gigawatt hours, up 2 per cent from 2019. 98 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 94 per cent in 2019. 82 per cent of electricity generation came from hydro generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Tasmania (PDF 648KB)

Northern Territory Electricity Generation in 2020 Total electricity generation was 5,021 gigawatt hours, up 6 per cent from 2019. 5 per cent of electricity generation came from renewables, up from 4 per cent in 2019. 85 per cent of electricity generation came from natural gas-fired generation.

Australian Energy Statistics 2020 infographic - Northern Territory (PDF 648KB)

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