Week 37

Policymakers aim to enact legislation by March for three new model electricity contracts to replace the struggling Capacity Investment Scheme and accelerate clean energy investment. The Energy Co

Nexa Advisory modelling warns that delaying Victorian transmission projects like VNI West could increase wholesale electricity costs by $33 billion, urging the state to prioritise 12 GW of approved capacity. The Energy Co

Fossil fuel generation in Western Australia's South West Interconnected System rose to 69.7 per cent during winter 2026, driven by a 10.7 per cent surge in gas generation. The Energy Co

The federal government is reviewing the Safeguard Mechanism to address concerns that current credit prices are insufficient to drive industrial decarbonisation, with most reductions stemming from production cuts. The Energy Co

Draft federal legislation mandates Western Australian gas exporters reserve 15 per cent of production for local use from January 2028, with provisions allowing a 10 per cent annual volume deferral. The Energy Co

Australia's 58 grid-scale battery storage systems in the National Electricity Market generated an estimated $28.79 million in gross energy and FCAS revenue during August. Energy-Storage.News

The Australian Energy Market Commission has recommended reforms requiring data centres to bring their own clean, firmed energy, operate flexibly and connect efficiently to the grid. AEMC

A final rule by the Australian Energy Market Commission requires newly connecting retail gas customers to pay the upfront cost of their connection, ending the practice of sharing these costs. AEMC

The Australian Energy Regulator has published a determination confirming the actions Powerlink must take to address a material change in circumstances for its system strength regulatory investment test. AER

The Australian Energy Market Operator has opened consultation on its Market Visibility Framework discussion paper, seeking feedback on improving transparency across the grid. AEMO

The National Electricity Market average price rose 20 per cent week-over-week to $49.10/MWh, driven by a 39.6 per cent increase in Victoria and a 25.8 per cent jump in New South Wales.

Tasmania recorded the highest price of the week at $320.36/MWh on Wednesday evening, coinciding with a spike in raise regulation FCAS costs to $243.63/MW. NEM recap

South Australia experienced 1,366 negative price intervals, the highest of any region, with prices dropping to a low of negative $294.71/MWh on Thursday afternoon. NEM recap

Brent Crude prices increased 3.4 per cent over the week to close at US$108.16 a barrel, while natural gas rose 2.5 per cent to US$2.90/mmbtu.

Newcastle Coal remained flat at US$146.75 a tonne, and gold saw a slight decline of 0.5 per cent to end the week at US$4,346.00 an ounce.