‘Market Demand’ soars in South Australia on Wednesday evening 12th February 2025

We had earlier posted that today ‘… could be a big day for ‘Market Demand’ in South Australia, with ‘Market Demand’ potentially as high as 3,200MW as noted in that article.

 

Update as at the 18:35 dispatch interval

Well, here’s a snapshot from NEMwatch at the 18:35 dispatch interval (NEM time) showing ‘Market Demand’ up at 3,313MW:

2025-02-12-at-18-35-NEMwatch-SA-3313MW

Notes:

1)  With respect to this particular dispatch interval:

(a)  The demand is well up in the ‘red zone’ relative to historical range

(b)  Specifically, with respect to this >17 year history of SA daily peak demand we see that this level:

i.  Is highest since Monday 31st January 2011; and

ii.  Is the 4th highest since 1st January 2008;

… but note it may still go higher

(c)  Also note the price has jumped above $8,000/MWh

(d)  Because of the fuel mix in play (including low wind generation), and constrained interconnector flow over VIC-SA*; and

* which, as reinforced in a conversation earlier today, should not be really called ‘Heywood’ for a while because of the added ~150MW capability of PEC Stage 1.

(e)  And also note that the IRPM of the SA-only ‘Economic Island

2)  Also noted on the image is clear evidence of the oscillations:

(a)  In both prices, and also dispatch outcomes

(b)  Which were discussed in these articles

(c)  And appear to be due, at least in part, by a rogue Murraylink term on the RHS of a particular (new) constraint equation.

 

 

Update at the 18:55 dispatch interval

The ‘Market Demand’ has reached 3,327MW.

 

 

Updates at the 19:00 and 19:20 dispatch intervals

See the subsequent article ‘Spare capacity in South Australia drops below 100MW on Wednesday evening 12th February 2025’.

 

 

About the Author

Paul McArdle
Paul was one of the founders of Global-Roam in February 2000. He is currently the CEO of the company and the principal author of WattClarity. Writing for WattClarity has become a natural extension of his work in understanding the electricity market, enabling him to lead the team in developing better software for clients. Before co-founding the company, Paul worked as a Mechanical Engineer for the Queensland Electricity Commission in the early 1990s. He also gained international experience in Japan, the United States, Canada, the UK, and Argentina as part of his ES Cornwall Memorial Scholarship.

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