FACTBase Bulletin 12 - Perth's Energy Economy

​This Bulletin provides a brief overview of some of the key characteristics of Perth's energy industry, focusing on the scale of production, corporate control, and the creation of a knowledge economy.

Key Findings

• Perth is the hub of Australia's energy industry, and one of the leading players globally.
• Perth has become an increasingly important location for corporate headquarters within Australia. Arguably Perth is now Australia's third most 'powerful' city in corporate Australia.
• In October 2010, there were some 220 energy companies listed on the ASX that had headquarters in Australian cities, 110 or half, of these are located in Perth. Sydney followed with 48 energy headquarters and then Melbourne with 24.
• Between the population censuses of 2001‐2006 direct employment in the energy sector nearly doubled.
• Perth has five underlying advantages that appear to be critical in contributing to the emerging energy ‘cluster’.
• Perth’s Energy sector adds value to urban life and the outcome is a city that is as much about scientific and technological innovation and international competitiveness, as it is about resource extraction.