The volatility of the NEM was showcased again on Monday as South Australia experienced two major price spikes in the space of an hour. Using NEM-Watch’s play back feature (screenshot below) we were able to relive when the two price spikes hit. At 2:35pm the South Australian dispatch price hit $2384.08 and then fell before spiking again at 3:10pm at $2410.23.
A screenshot from NEM-Watch at 3:10pm on Monday the 14th of December 2015.
Dan Lee first started at Global-Roam in June 2013. He has departed (and returned) for a couple of stints overseas in that time, but rejoined our team permanently in late 2019.
More recently, Dan's focus has been on growing his understanding of the market and developing his analytical capabilities. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Sustainable Energy program at the University of Queensland.
Based on forecasts NEMMCO had been providing through their PASA process, we expected that it might prove that this week would deliver huge demand levels, and high prices.
Not to disappoint, the market did deliver high levels of demand in all regions:
(a) Peak demand levels were reduced somewhat from the huge levels the previous week in Victoria and South Australia;
(b) Demand levels were also still building to the record level to be experienced the following week in NSW;
(c) Peak demand levels in Queensland were fairly steady (and high) for most weeks of summer.
(d) In combination, a new NEM-wide peak demand target of 30,994MW was set on Monday 23rd January.
Demand spiked, Angaston (diesel) dropped 37 MW, and Ladbroke (gas, price setter) was constrained down due to network limitations. Wind dropped 5 MW the first event and 18 MW the second time. Small changes compared to diesel and demand.
A screenshot from NEM-Watch at 3:10pm on Monday the 14th of December 2015.
What caused the spike in price? Was it a fall in wind production?
Demand spiked, Angaston (diesel) dropped 37 MW, and Ladbroke (gas, price setter) was constrained down due to network limitations. Wind dropped 5 MW the first event and 18 MW the second time. Small changes compared to diesel and demand.