Power plants accounted for 56% of total networked gas consumption in 2020, compared with 30% by the non-residential sector and 14% by the residential sector (see Headline Table, Table 1 and Figure 1). This pattern was broadly similar in the period from 2011 to 2019. Total consumption in 2020 was 57,953 gigawatt hours, an increase of 0.4% over 2019 consumption, and the highest consumption over the 2011-2020 period. The increase in consumption was comprised of a 2.3% decrease in consumption by power plants, a 3.1% increase by the non-residential sector and a 6.1% increase by the residential sector (see Tables 2B, 2C and 2D).

There is strong seasonal variation in networked gas consumption by households. The January to March quarter has by far the highest consumption, at 44% of the annual total in 2020. In contrast, July to September accounted for only 9% of total residential consumption in 2020 (see Table 2D and Figure 2). Seasonal variation was less evident in other sectors, with the third quarter of 2020 accounting for 28% of total usage by power plants and for 23% of consumption in the non-residential sector (see Tables 2B and 2C).