The pattern of hot weather that began in November has continued through into December.
Wednesday 16th December 2009
Yesterday, we saw the NEM-wide demand rise above 33,000MW for the first time this summer.
The following snapshot from NEM-Watch (at 15:25 on the day) shows how the demand in all mainland regions was relatively high (signified by the yellow colour). The NEM-wide demand at 15:25 was 33,050MW on a dispatch demand target basis.
Note here that the temperatures in the south and west were high, but more modest in NSW and QLD.
Thursday 17th December 2009
Today, we have seen the high temperatures spread east, forcing demand in NSW higher. However, a cooler change is also passing through VIC and SA, dropping demand there, and hence delivering lower demand on a NEM-wide basis.
The first snapshot (taken at 10:25) from NEM-Watch highlights the first instance when prices jumped in NSW.
Price spikes continued in NSW for some time and, after a brief respite in the middle of the day, resumed in the afternoon, with QLD also joining in, as shown below (at 15:00):
See here that the demand in NSW (13,253MW dispatch demand target) is getting close to the all-time maximum demand (14,411MW in NSW on a dispatch demand target basis). Hence the NSW region colour is inching towards red.
Stay tuned for more updates, as the “season for swelter” progresses!
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