Load Advisor

NSW1 prices are near zero or negative across the overnight period, with the deepest discounts appearing in the 10:30–13:30 AEST window (UTC 00:30–03:30) where predispatch forecasts show prices dipping to -$23.50/MWh at the floor — a saving of over $130/MWh against the current $119.49/MWh spot. QLD1 is showing a similar overnight profile, with prices clustered between -$2.50 and -$10.50/MWh through the same window, and a brief deep spike to -$22.17/MWh around 13:00 AEST. VIC1 presents an even sharper overnight opportunity, with predispatch prices at or near $0/MWh from approximately 10:30 AEST onwards — a discount of over $275/MWh against the $115.68/MWh current rate — before lifting back above $8.95/MWh around 16:30 AEST (UTC 06:30).

SA1 is the strongest absolute savings case in the data but carries significantly more price volatility. Spot is currently $138/MWh and predispatch shows intervals swinging between negative (as low as -$4/MWh around 13:00 AEST) and above $100/MWh within the same overnight block. The periods bracketing 09:00–13:00 AEST offer the best-value windows, but operators should treat SA1 as a secondary target and monitor each dispatch interval given the spread. TAS1 predispatch is stable and flat at $88.16/MWh with no meaningful low-price windows forecast; load shifting will deliver limited savings there today.

The standout shift window across NSW1, VIC1 and QLD1 is 10:30–13:30 AEST. Prices in all three regions are forecast to remain near or below zero through this period, driven by autumn midday generation conditions. Loads scheduled to run in this block — refrigeration cycling, water heating, EV charging, industrial processes with thermal storage — will avoid the current spot prices of $115–$120/MWh in favour of near-zero or negative settlement. Any flexible loads currently scheduled for the 08:00–09:30 AEST morning ramp period should be moved: NSW1 predispatch shows prices climbing back to $9–$27/MWh at the 16:30 AEST mark, signalling that the low-price window will close.

The concrete recommendation: schedule all deferrable NEM loads in NSW1, VIC1, and QLD1 to the 10:30–13:30 AEST window today. Avoid 08:00–09:00 AEST in SA1 where predispatch shows prices above $80/MWh. Do not shift load into the 16:30 AEST+ period in any region — NSW1 forecasts show prices rising to $27/MWh by that interval, and VIC1 predispatch returns to $8.95–$33/MWh, signalling the end of the deep discount band.