AEMO pre-dispatch price forecasts across all six Australian energy regions, updated every 5 minutes from the latest dispatch run.
AEMO publishes pre-dispatch price forecasts as part of the National Electricity Market dispatch process. These forecasts project wholesale electricity prices for upcoming dispatch intervals based on submitted generator bids, forecast demand, network constraints, and interconnector limits.
In the NEM (NSW, VIC, SA, QLD, TAS), pre-dispatch forecasts cover 5-minute dispatch intervals for the next several hours. In the WEM (Western Australia), forecasts are published for 30-minute trading intervals. Forecasts are recalculated with each dispatch run, meaning they update every 5 minutes with the latest market conditions.
Pre-dispatch forecasts are essential for energy managers planning load-shifting strategies, PPA buyers stress-testing positions, and renewable operators anticipating curtailment risk. Each region page shows the latest forecast curve alongside current weather conditions that influence price outcomes.
Pre-dispatch forecasts are most reliable in the near term, the next one to two hours, where generator bids are largely fixed and demand forecasts are stable. Accuracy degrades as the horizon extends because generators can rebid capacity, demand can shift, and weather conditions can change. A forecast published for an interval six hours ahead may differ significantly from the actual dispatch price.
Forecast accuracy also varies by region. South Australia and Tasmania, with higher renewable penetration and tighter interconnector constraints, tend to show greater forecast divergence than NSW or QLD during stable conditions. Significant rebids, particularly withdrawals of large coal or gas capacity, are a primary cause of sudden forecast revisions.
Commercial energy buyers use pre-dispatch data to decide whether to shift discretionary load before a forecast price spike. Renewable developers and curtailment analysts monitor forecasts to anticipate negative price periods where generation may not be economic. PPA buyers and asset managers use the forecast curve to stress-test contract positions and track basis risk between regions. Compare forecasts against current spot prices or track the environmental impact with real-time carbon intensity.
Pre-dispatch forecasts for all five NEM regions — next-interval price, 24-hour range and the forecast peak — in one dashboard view. Free for every gridIQ account.
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