Australia Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
Australia generated 287 TWh of electricity in 2025, according to Ember. Coal was the largest source at 42.7%, followed by solar (19.7%) and gas (16.4%). Demand was 287 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 525 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2025, with monthly figures through August 2026; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- Australia generated 287 TWh of electricity in 2025.
- Coal supplied 42.7% of Australia's electricity in 2025.
- Solar supplied 19.7% of Australia's electricity in 2025.
- Gas supplied 16.4% of Australia's electricity in 2025.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 38.7% of Australia's generation in 2025.
- The carbon intensity of Australia's electricity was 525 gCO2/kWh in 2025.
- Australia's carbon intensity in 2025 was 31% lower than in 1985, when it was 759 gCO2/kWh.
- Australia had the 18th highest electricity demand among the 93 countries with Ember data for 2025.
Key Figures, 2025
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 287 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 287 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 10.63 MWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Net imports | 0 TWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 525 gCO2/kWh | 2025 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 150 MtCO2 | 2025 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2025 data) | 18 of 93 | 2025 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2025
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 1985 to 2025Annual statistics through 2025, TWh
| Year | Coal | Solar | Gas | Wind | Hydro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 89.4 TWh | n/a | 11.5 TWh | n/a | 13.9 TWh |
| 1986 | 92.6 TWh | n/a | 13.8 TWh | n/a | 14.0 TWh |
| 1987 | 100 TWh | n/a | 14.0 TWh | n/a | 13.6 TWh |
| 1988 | 106 TWh | n/a | 14.7 TWh | n/a | 14.3 TWh |
| 1989 | 114 TWh | n/a | 15.1 TWh | n/a | 14.3 TWh |
| 1990 | 123 TWh | 0 TWh | 12.6 TWh | 0 TWh | 14.8 TWh |
| 1991 | 127 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 11.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 15.7 TWh |
| 1992 | 130 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 12.0 TWh | 0 TWh | 15.9 TWh |
| 1993 | 133 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 12.3 TWh | 0 TWh | 16.4 TWh |
| 1994 | 137 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 13.6 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 16.2 TWh |
| 1995 | 142 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 13.7 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 15.6 TWh |
| 1996 | 148 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 11.9 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 16.0 TWh |
| 1997 | 157 TWh | 30.0 GWh | 12.2 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 16.0 TWh |
| 1998 | 166 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 14.5 TWh | 20.0 GWh | 15.8 TWh |
| 1999 | 171 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 16.1 TWh | 40.0 GWh | 16.3 TWh |
| 2000 | 180 TWh | 50.0 GWh | 16.8 TWh | 130 GWh | 16.5 TWh |
| 2001 | 180 TWh | 50.0 GWh | 24.5 TWh | 290 GWh | 16.1 TWh |
| 2002 | 172 TWh | 60.0 GWh | 30.6 TWh | 530 GWh | 16.1 TWh |
| 2003 | 174 TWh | 60.0 GWh | 30.2 TWh | 700 GWh | 16.2 TWh |
| 2004 | 179 TWh | 70.0 GWh | 27.4 TWh | 800 GWh | 15.7 TWh |
| 2005 | 183 TWh | 80.0 GWh | 23.3 TWh | 1.30 TWh | 15.5 TWh |
| 2006 | 186 TWh | 100 GWh | 27.3 TWh | 2.16 TWh | 15.0 TWh |
| 2007 | 185 TWh | 110 GWh | 33.4 TWh | 2.85 TWh | 13.1 TWh |
| 2008 | 184 TWh | 140 GWh | 36.3 TWh | 3.46 TWh | 11.8 TWh |
| 2009 | 182 TWh | 290 GWh | 41.1 TWh | 4.44 TWh | 12.6 TWh |
| 2010 | 176 TWh | 980 GWh | 46.8 TWh | 4.99 TWh | 13.8 TWh |
| 2011 | 172 TWh | 2.04 TWh | 48.8 TWh | 6.43 TWh | 19.6 TWh |
| 2012 | 165 TWh | 2.41 TWh | 49.8 TWh | 7.72 TWh | 17.0 TWh |
| 2013 | 155 TWh | 3.85 TWh | 52.7 TWh | 9.26 TWh | 19.1 TWh |
| 2014 | 155 TWh | 4.95 TWh | 53.7 TWh | 9.78 TWh | 14.5 TWh |
| 2015 | 162 TWh | 6.20 TWh | 49.7 TWh | 11.8 TWh | 14.1 TWh |
| 2016 | 162 TWh | 7.44 TWh | 48.1 TWh | 13.0 TWh | 17.6 TWh |
| 2017 | 159 TWh | 8.92 TWh | 55.1 TWh | 13.2 TWh | 13.5 TWh |
| 2018 | 157 TWh | 12.3 TWh | 51.5 TWh | 16.3 TWh | 17.3 TWh |
| 2019 | 150 TWh | 18.3 TWh | 55.7 TWh | 19.5 TWh | 14.0 TWh |
| 2020 | 143 TWh | 23.8 TWh | 53.1 TWh | 22.6 TWh | 14.4 TWh |
| 2021 | 137 TWh | 31.2 TWh | 47.6 TWh | 26.8 TWh | 15.9 TWh |
| 2022 | 129 TWh | 37.5 TWh | 50.8 TWh | 30.1 TWh | 16.7 TWh |
| 2023 | 126 TWh | 45.0 TWh | 46.7 TWh | 31.9 TWh | 15.1 TWh |
| 2024 | 127 TWh | 50.2 TWh | 49.1 TWh | 32.7 TWh | 12.9 TWh |
| 2025 | 122 TWh | 56.4 TWh | 47.1 TWh | 39.3 TWh | 12.2 TWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 287 TWh | 287 TWh | 525 gCO2/kWh |
| 2024 | 282 TWh | 282 TWh | 554 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 273 TWh | 273 TWh | 557 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 273 TWh | 273 TWh | 578 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 267 TWh | 267 TWh | 606 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 265 TWh | 265 TWh | 642 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 266 TWh | 266 TWh | 670 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 263 TWh | 263 TWh | 689 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 259 TWh | 259 TWh | 718 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 258 TWh | 258 TWh | 714 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for Australia, 1985 to 2025
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.
Month by Month
Ember monthly statistics through August 2026Monthly statistics through August 2026, TWh
| Month | Demand | Generation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-09 | 18.6 TWh | 18.6 TWh |
| 2024-10 | 18.8 TWh | 18.8 TWh |
| 2024-11 | 19.2 TWh | 19.2 TWh |
| 2024-12 | 21.0 TWh | 20.9 TWh |
| 2025-01 | 21.2 TWh | 21.2 TWh |
| 2025-02 | 19.5 TWh | 19.5 TWh |
| 2025-03 | 20.7 TWh | 20.7 TWh |
| 2025-04 | 18.4 TWh | 18.4 TWh |
| 2025-05 | 19.7 TWh | 19.7 TWh |
| 2025-06 | 21.0 TWh | 21.0 TWh |
| 2025-07 | 21.9 TWh | 21.9 TWh |
| 2025-08 | 21.3 TWh | 21.3 TWh |
| 2025-09 | 19.2 TWh | 19.2 TWh |
| 2025-10 | 19.8 TWh | 19.8 TWh |
| 2025-11 | 19.6 TWh | 19.6 TWh |
| 2025-12 | 20.9 TWh | 20.9 TWh |
| 2026-01 | 21.8 TWh | 21.8 TWh |
| 2026-02 | 19.7 TWh | 19.7 TWh |
| 2026-03 | 20.5 TWh | 20.5 TWh |
| 2026-04 | 18.9 TWh | 18.9 TWh |
| 2026-05 | 19.8 TWh | 19.8 TWh |
| 2026-06 | 20.4 TWh | 20.4 TWh |
| 2026-07 | 22.0 TWh | 22.0 TWh |
| 2026-08 | 21.3 TWh | 21.3 TWh |
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of August 2026.
Australia Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in Australia?
Coal was the largest source of electricity in Australia in 2025, supplying 42.7% of generation, followed by solar (19.7%) and gas (16.4%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does Australia use?
Australia used 287 TWh of electricity in 2025, about 10.63 MWh per person.
How clean is Australia's electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in Australia emitted 525 gCO2/kWh in 2025, and low carbon sources supplied 38.7% of generation. That is 14% above the world average of 459 gCO2/kWh.