Akaysha Energy secured a $1.75 billion portfolio financing facility to support a 25 GWh battery development pipeline across the NEM. The developer secured a $175 million syndicated loan from 11 banks to consolidate debt for the Waratah Super Battery and the Brendale, Orana, Ulinda Park and Elaine projects. The multi-tenor facility provides liquidity to support future development sites including Connewarren, Deer Park and Brinkworth. The NEM recorded a mean price of $97.40/MWh, finishing 61 per cent above the seven-day average of $60.40/MWh. AEMO declared a Low Reserve Condition for Victoria between October 2027 and October 2028 after medium-term PASA results identified annual unserved energy exceeding the reliability standard.
The New South Wales Government introduced legislation to protect 400 jobs at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant coal mine in the Hunter region. The Queensland Government received indicative proposals from 10 qualified proponents for its Central Queensland gas tender to deliver new gas-fired generation capacity. AEMO issued multiple Forecast Lack of Reserve Level 2 notices for South Australia for 23 October 2026. AEMO lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission seeking the termination or suspension of protected industrial action by eligible Professionals Australia members.
Engie reached financial close on a 150 MW and 300 MWh expansion of the Hazelwood battery energy storage system in Victoria. The new addition is expected to commence operations in 2028 following a state transmission declaration. ARENA allocated $4 million to JET Charge for a commercial vehicle-to-grid deployment integrating 100 electric vehicles. The project aims to demonstrate how bi-directional charging can manage peak demand and reduce fleet costs through market participation. ACEN Australia received a 244-tonne transformer at its New England Solar site in New South Wales for the project's second stage of development. Genesis Energy opened a 100 MW and 200 MWh battery energy storage system at Huntly Power Station on New Zealand's North Island to strengthen electricity system reliability.
Energy Power Systems Australia and Wild Desert engineered, integrated and commissioned a hybrid energy solution for a workover rig.
The NEM spot price averaged $97.40/MWh, with New South Wales recording the highest regional average at $113.00/MWh. Tasmania reached a maximum price of $321.00/MWh at 16:40 and South Australia recorded a minimum of -$118.00/MWh at 15:35. Victoria experienced 18.0 negative-price hours and South Australia recorded 10.3 negative-price hours. New South Wales recorded a demand peak of 8,354 MW at 18:40. Renewables supplied 49.7 per cent of energy with an instantaneous peak of 74.9 per cent at 11:55, while batteries discharged 13,889 MWh.
AEMO published a discussion paper on the dispatch algorithm formulation with submissions closing on 13 November 2026. AEMO released a draft assessment for addressing system strength requirements in Queensland from December 2025 with submissions closing on 30 November 2026. AEMO published an options screening report for AusNet Services regarding secure supply and connections for the Beveridge area with submissions closing on 11 January 2027. AEMO Executive General Manager System Design Nicola Falcon spoke at the High Temperature Minerals Processing Forum in Adelaide. AusNet Services announced street batteries to power solar back into the electricity grid. SA Power Networks introduced a mobile community hub named Cyril.