According to the latest statistical data released by the Energy Supply Association of Australia, Australia’s electricity consumption growth in 2008-09 has been led by the residential sector, with a 3.5% rise on the previous year.

Esaa’s Electricity Gas Australia 2010 recorded Australia’s overall electricity consumption growth at 1.5% over the same period, a slight increase on the 1.2% growth rate seen in 2007-08. More subdued growth of 0.7% in non-residential consumption was largely due to tighter economic conditions in 2008-09 and the subsequent reduction in industrial electricity demand.

The biggest increases in electricity consumption were seen in the Northern Territory (4.8%), Western Australia (4.3%) and Queensland (3.8%).

Australia’s principal electricity generation capacity rose by 4.7% in 2008-09, with 83% of the new capacity comprising gas-fired generation. Since June 2009, an additional 1,083 MW of gas-fired plant has been commissioned, and a further 4,762 MW is either under construction or in advanced planning.

Australia’s wind-powered energy capacity has also increased, with almost 666 MW of additional wind capacity commissioned in 2008-09, a rise of 63.5%. A further 57 MW of wind energy has been commissioned since December 2009 and another 1,592 MW is well advanced.

More than 3,444 MW of new capacity is under advanced planning to meet growing demand over the next five years, with further substantial new capacity also being considered.

Esaa reported that electricity demand growth is underpinning the construction of new electricity generation, which is principally gas plant and wind energy, confirming that the industry is moving down the lower emission. Further essa believe that a bipartisan commitment to a stable, efficient and long-term carbon emission abatement policy is necessary for Australia’s energy suppliers to transition to a low emission energy supply system.

Australia’s electricity supply industry contributed $17.2 billion to Australia’s gross domestic product, an increase of 7.2% compared to 2007-08. In 2008-09, the downstream gas industry contributed $1.9 billion to Australia’s GDP, a 1.7%.