WattClarity noted wholesale electricity prices exceeded $500/MWh across Queensland and New South Wales on the morning of 9 October 2026. WattClarity stated South Australia experienced similar volatility shortly after. WattClarity reported these spikes represent a departure from a recent period of market stability, excluding isolated frequency control ancillary services events in Tasmania. WattClarity estimated the 850 MW Waratah Super Battery in New South Wales contributed to the price spikes across the Queensland and New South Wales regions. The battery withdrew significant load from the grid during a period of high demand. The volatility coincided with a sudden trip of the 426 MW Millmerran unit 2. WattClarity noted unexpected demand fluctuations occurred in the Queensland region. WattClarity reported Victorian market demand fell by 426 MW during the 10:25 dispatch interval on 9 October 2026. This volatility followed a separate 512 MW demand reduction recorded in the Queensland region earlier the same morning. AEMO identified a foreseeable circumstance requiring an intervention event in the South Australia region from 11:00 on 9 October 2026.
The NEM average price settled at $51.8/MWh, which ranked sixth out of the last seven days and was below the seven-day average of $70.7/MWh. New South Wales recorded the highest regional