NEM states record a drop in electricity consumption in 2012

11th Jan 2013

With a heatwave scorching parts of the country this week, an increase in electricity demand seems certain.

It's no surprise that the air conditioner becomes a very popular item as temperatures climb to 40 degrees and beyond.

However, what might raise a few eyebrows on the subject of electricity consumption is that it actually decreased last year in the National Electricity Market (NEM) states.

That's according to research just released by Green Energy Markets (GEM).

The data shows that, among the NEM states, only Queensland recorded an increase in consumption (0.15 per cent), while NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania all recorded decreases when compared with 2011.

Sounds like the overall figure might be pretty good, right? You're absolutely correct.

Total consumption in the NEM states dropped by 2.5 per cent, or 4,818 GWh, in 2012.

GEM pointed directly to solar panel installations as a big factor in bringing electricity demand down.

It estimates that 2,000 GWh of the drop could be attributed to solar PV uptake and other strategies employed by Australian households and businesses to improve energy efficiency.

The mix of energy generation methods also continues to change.

GEM reports that renewables and scheduled gas grew their share of the market by 1.8 and 1.0 respectively, while coal-fired generation went from 80.9 per cent in 2011 to the reduced figure of 78 per cent in 2012.

As for the geographic spread of 2012's decrease, there was one clear winner.

Falling demand in NSW drove the national decrease, with electricity demand in the state dropping by 4,000 GWh (5.2 per cent).

Why such a big drop? GEM suggests that big factors could be the closure of the Kurri Kurri smelter and simply a milder winter.

The next biggest decrease was seen in Tasmania, where demand dropped by 3.7 per cent.

Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: