Sydney, Feb. 26 (People’s Daily Online / Jin Xie) - Australian energy use increased but also became more efficient, according to the latest edition of the annual Energy Account released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The report shows that Australia's supply of energy products worth $168 billion (23.2% increased) in 2016-17. The value of coal increased by $21 billion (up 56.3%), while intermediate use of energy products increased by $6 billion (up 8.0%).

In addition, household final consumption of energy products increased by $2 billion (up 5.1%). Exports increased by $25 billion (up 42.2%), with coal exports increasing $20 billion (up 56.9%).

According to ABS Centre for Environment and Satellite Accounts director, Jonathon Khoo, total gross energy use increased by 4 per cent in 2016-17, physical exports of energy increased by 1 percent, while the value of these exports increased 42 per cent ($25 billion), as the price of commodities increased significantly in 2016-17.

“Although Australian industries used more energy overall in 2016-17, they also became more efficient - with energy productivity increasing by 1 per cent,” Mr Khoo mentioned.

"On average, each Australian household used 135 gigajoules of energy in 2016-17," Mr Khoo said. "Overall, petrol is still the number one type of energy used by households - making up 45 per cent of energy used - but solar energy is the fastest g/rowing, increasing by about 15 per cent in 2016-17 on the year prior."