Uses of Natural Gas
Natural gas powers homes, fuels industries, and supports the production of everyday goods critical for modern life.
Today, natural gas supports our standard of living and Australia’s energy security, providing over a quarter of our energy needs.2
Gas keeps Australia’s energy system reliable
- Gas-fired generators provide essential backup when renewable output is low or during peak demand. 1
- Gas can start quickly and scale rapidly, helping stabilise the grid and keeping electricity reliable.2
- Its firming role becomes more important as more wind and solar generation enters the grid. 2
Major uses of natural gas
Gas supports everyday living for millions of Australians
- Natural gas molecules are chemically transformed into products that are used in our everyday lives (e.g., plastics, fertilisers, packaging, clothing, tyres, detergents, insulators, rubber, propellants, medical products, adhesives and cosmetics). 2
- Gas is widely used for cooking, heating water, and heating or cooling homes and businesses. 2
- Today, about 5 million households in Australia rely on natural gas. 2
Gas is essential for Australian industry and manufacturing
- Natural gas is the largest energy source for Australian industry, including manufacturing. 2
- Around three‑quarters of industrial gas use is for creating high-temperature heat used to make cement, bricks, steel, glass, food products and more. 2
- Many industries cannot operate and cannot transition without access to reliable gas for industrial processes. 2
Gas supports future energy reliability
- As Australia transitions to a net zero emissions future, gas will remain essential for households, businesses and industry, and to support the operation of the electricity sector.1
- Gas helps maintain reliability and affordability as renewables grow and coal generation retires. 2
- Gas plays a key role during extreme weather and periods of high electricity demand. 1