In brief
Australia’s physical energy exports — coal, LNG, uranium and crude oil — declined 3.1% in 2024‑25 to the lowest level in ten years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Black coal fell 1.1% and LNG slipped 2.2%, while solar output rose 11% and wind increased 15%. Household energy use edged up 0.3%, showing mixed consumption trends.
In 2024‑25, Australia’s physical energy exports fell 3.1% to their lowest level in ten years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, according to Xinhua.
The dip included coal and liquefied natural gas, Australia’s two biggest export sectors. Black coal declined 1.1%, while LNG exports fell 2.2%, the ABS data showed.
At the same time, renewable energy production grew. Solar output rose 11% and wind up 15% the report added, marking the fastest annual increase in the country’s green sector.
Household use of energy was up 0.3% for the year, driven by petrol, electricity and natural gas, the ABS noted. The modest increase shows Australians are still using fossil fuels for everyday needs.
The slide in coal and LNG exports could weigh on the economy, where energy sales contribute heavily to trade earnings. Meanwhile, the jump in renewable output points to a shift in demand and could help Australia broaden its export portfolio.
Overall, the report highlights a pivot toward cleaner energy sources even as traditional markets cool, underscoring the trade‑offs between economic growth and environmental progress.
Australia’s uranium, which was part of the 3.1% drop, accounted for a small share of the total energy export bill, while crude oil exports shrank slightly.
Experts say the low point in coal and LNG trade could push the country to accelerate its shift to renewable power and explore export opportunities such as green hydrogen.
Meanwhile, the 0.3% rise in household energy use, largely driven by fossil fuels, signals that domestic consumption remains a key driver of Australia’s energy profile.
Governments and industry bodies are watching closely as the figures signal potential changes in energy policy and global trade dynamics.