Load Advisor

NEM-wide spot prices are elevated heading into the Tuesday morning peak, with NSW1 sitting at 137.67 $/MWh, QLD1 at 128.20 $/MWh, SA1 at 124.00 $/MWh, and VIC1 at 122.29 $/MWh. TAS1 is the clear outlier at 98.22 $/MWh, the only region trading below 100 $/MWh. These current levels represent the period to avoid for flexible loads.

The strongest load-shifting opportunity across the NEM falls in the 11:30–12:00 AEST window (01:30–02:00 UTC), when predispatch forecasts show prices dropping sharply. VIC1 offers the single best window of the day, with prices forecast to reach 84.64 $/MWh at 11:30 AEST — a saving of over 60 $/MWh against current spot — rated "good" quality. QLD1 also delivers a compelling window from 11:30 AEST, with prices forecast as low as 73.69 $/MWh, representing a saving of nearly 48 $/MWh. In NSW1, the 11:30 AEST window prints 90.19–84.59 $/MWh, good quality, versus a current spot of 137.67 $/MWh. SA1 remains the weakest load-shifting region today, with overnight prices tracking 110–120 $/MWh throughout the predispatch horizon — prices do not fall meaningfully below the current spot, so load deferral offers limited benefit in SA1 and loads there should be deferred only if flexibility extends past the immediate horizon.

The recommended action for flexible loads in NSW1, VIC1, and QLD1 is to reduce consumption now and reschedule into the 11:00–12:00 AEST window today, where "good"-rated windows are concentrated. VIC1 operators should specifically target 11:30 AEST for the deepest discount. QLD1 operators get the largest absolute saving — nearly 48 $/MWh — at 11:30 AEST. TAS1 shows fair-quality windows holding around 96 $/MWh throughout the day with little variation, so timing flexibility is less critical there, though avoiding the current peak still yields an 18–19 $/MWh saving by shifting to any overnight interval. Avoid scheduling flexible loads at or before 08:30 AEST across all regions; the 07:00–09:00 AEST period is where current elevated prices are expected to persist before solar and reduced demand drive prices lower.