South Australia (SA1) experienced high renewable energy penetration at 91.1% during the 13:00–13:30 AEST period on 16 August 2026, driven predominantly by wind generation of 1,283.82 MW with minimal solar and gas contribution. Regional reference prices ranged from $51.72–$66.54/MWh, with modest volatility across the five-minute settlement intervals.
The high renewable penetration reflects substantial wind output during the daylight hours, with battery and gas-fired generation providing marginal supplementary capacity. Binding constraints F_T+RREG_0050 (with a marginal value of $4.35/MWh) and F_TASCAP_LREG_0210 (marginal value $3.98/MWh) indicate that network or regulatory limits constrained the dispatch, likely moderating price outcomes and preventing further downward pressure that unconstrained high renewable supply might otherwise produce.
Causal analysis generated by gridIQ's synthesis model from live AEMO market data: dispatch prices, generation mix, interconnector flows and market notices in the interval surrounding the event.