SA leads the country in renewable energy uptake

When it comes to renewable energy, South Australia leads the way, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows. The percentage of SA residences with renewable electricity systems such as solar panels has increased by 352% between 2010 and 2012.

“South Australia leads the other states with 16% (120,477) of residences having renewable electricity systems in 2012,” said Peter Williams, director of the ABS’s Centre of Environment Statistics.

“This was followed by Queensland on 14% (260,307) and Western Australia on 11% (102,142).”

Across all Australian states, the average amount of renewable energy generated by residences has increased in all states from 2010 to 2012.

“Queensland leads the other states in renewable electricity generated (and exported from the residence) with an average of 1513 kWh per residence in 2012, which is a 213% increase from 2010,” said Williams.

Even households without renewable energy systems are reducing their energy use, the ABS said. Tasmania experienced the largest decrease (17%) between 2010 and 2012. However, Tasmanian residences without renewable electricity systems were on average the largest electricity consumers of all states in 2012 (7324 kWh), while Victoria consumed the least amount of electricity in 2012 (4793 kWh).

This data is reproduced with the kind permission of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.