2022-23 saw the first increase in net energy use in Australia since 2018-19, increasing by 2 per cent, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Luisa Ryan, ABS head of environment statistics, said: "Both businesses and households saw higher-end use, largely driven by a post-COVID-19 recovery in air travel and household use of fuel for transportation."

Increased energy use in Mining (+4 per cent) and Transport, postal and warehousing (+19 per cent) were, however, offset by another annual reduction in Manufacturing (-4 per cent).

"Exports continued to dominate the national energy account, with 75 per cent of total Australian energy supply being exported. Black coal remained the largest energy export commodity, followed by LNG and Uranium", Ms Ryan said.

Renewable energy extraction of hydro, solar and wind continued to grow, with a 12 per cent rise in 2022-23.

Further information can be found in the Energy Account, Australia 2022-23 which presents national estimates of energy assets, and physical supply and use of energy products.

An article, 'Understanding ABS data to support the net-zero transition', has also been released today. The article presents 9 energy-related presentations that help narrate the net zero story and are freely available for use with correct attribution to the ABS.