Australian businesses spent $75.4 billion on energy during 2008-09, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Fifty-five per cent of these companies took measures to cut their energy consumption, including switching off equipment or activities related to reducing transport use. Twenty-one per cent claimed that cost was the major deterrent to improving energy efficiency.

During 2008-09, energy spending by Australian businesses was dominated by electricity and non-renewable fuels. Eighteen billion dollars was shelled out on diesel, $13b on electricity and $6b on natural gas. A total of $29b was allocated for other non-renewable fuels, primarily crude oil a by the petroleum industry. In the same period, businesses spent $60m directly on renewable fuels such as liquid biofuel, biogas, bagasse and wood/wood waste, and a further $95m on GreenPower electricity. This was less than 1 per cent of total expenditure on electricity by businesses.

Seven per cent of electricity generated (18,000 GWh) came from renewables, with hydroelectricity accounting for about two-thirds. The use of non-renewable fuels, coal, and coal by-products generated over 70 per cent of electricity, followed by natural gas at 19 per cent.

The ABS also released today figures on water and other environmental management activities of Australian businesses. Twenty-two per cent of all Australian companies undertook some type of water management practice, with 60 percent of large businesses reporting one or more activities to manage their water use, according to the data.