Winter demand drove a volatile evening peak across the eastern states on 30 July, with NSW1, VIC1, SA1 and TAS1 all spiking above $470/MWh between 17:30–08:15 AEST as demand surged past 8,300 MW in VIC1 and 2,100 MW in SA1. Prices have since eased back into the $90–$140/MWh range this morning as the overnight trough gives way to the winter morning ramp. Watch the evening peak again today (17:00–20:00 AEST) for a repeat of the sharp price-demand swings seen over the past 24 hours, particularly in VIC1 and SA1.
SA1 recorded the region's 24-hour high of $534/MWh amid an overnight demand peak of 2,137 MW, with wind generation supplying the bulk of output through the volatile window. Average SA1 pricing over the period ($138/MWh) was the highest of the six NEM regions, reflecting the sharp evening peak-to-trough swing rather than sustained tightness.
WA1 remained comparatively steady, averaging $101/MWh over the past 24 hours with a maximum of $125/MWh — a much narrower band than the volatility seen across the NEM's southern and eastern regions overnight.
No LOR conditions are forecast across the NEM over the next 48 hours. Gas hub prices firmed slightly into Friday, with STTM Adelaide at $14.92/GJ and STTM Sydney up to $12.33/GJ (from $11.86/GJ Thursday), while STTM Brisbane eased to $12.65/GJ. LGC prices rose to $5.85 for the week ending 24 July, up from $5.05 the prior week but still below the $7.00 seen in early July.