Load Advisor

VIC1 offers the strongest load-shifting case on the NEM today, with predispatch prices as low as $8.95/MWh across the 09:00–10:00 AEST window and sustaining excellent-rated intervals through to at least 10:00 AEST — a saving of over $51/MWh against the current spot of $11/MWh. QLD1 will present the sharpest intraday opportunity: prices are forecast to turn negative (down to -$3.40/MWh) in the 09:00–10:00 AEST window, meaning flexible loads in Queensland will effectively be paid to consume during that period. NSW1 prices are currently $78.21/MWh but will ease materially from 08:30 AEST, with predispatch pointing to $42–$44/MWh across a sustained window through to approximately 10:00 AEST, representing savings of $54–$56/MWh against the current rate. SA1 presents the widest absolute savings window despite higher nominal prices — predispatch shows $28–$35/MWh available from 09:00 AEST, well below the current $41.94/MWh spot, with the best interval at $12.60/MWh around 09:30 AEST.

TAS1 is the outlier: prices sit at $111.93/MWh and predispatch holds them in the $88–$101/MWh range throughout the forecast horizon, with only "fair" quality ratings across all windows. Tasmania offers limited shifting value today — operators there should defer discretionary load rather than seek a cheap window, as none emerges in the near-term predispatch. WA1 data is stale and should not be used for today's advisory.

The optimal NEM-wide load-shifting window is 09:00–10:00 AEST. QLD1 and VIC1 are the priority regions — negative and near-floor prices respectively make this the highest-value consumption period across the interconnected market. NSW1 and SA1 consumers should target the same window for material bill savings. The period to avoid is the morning peak: NSW1 is forecast at $84.79/MWh and QLD1 at $75.83/MWh in the 07:00–08:00 AEST hour per latest predispatch runs, so any deferrable load currently scheduled for that period should be pushed to the 09:00–10:00 slot.

Concrete recommendation: schedule all flexible loads — industrial process heating, EV fleet charging, water heating, cold storage pull-down, and battery charging cycles — to commence no earlier than 09:00 AEST and complete by 10:00 AEST. QLD1 and VIC1 operators have the most to gain. Re-check predispatch at 08:30 AEST for any revision to the negative price intervals in QLD1, as solar ramp rates at this time of year can shift the window by up to 30 minutes.