Load Advisor: Friday 1 May 2026

Predispatch data puts NSW1 at $57.51/MWh, QLD1 at $64.83/MWh, and TAS1 at $74.82/MWh right now, while VIC1 and SA1 are already clearing at negative prices — -$2.12/MWh and -$2.00/MWh respectively. The overnight trough will deepen NEM-wide, with NSW1 forecast windows dropping to near-zero and sub-$1/MWh between 10:30 AEST and 14:30 AEST (00:30–04:30 UTC), VIC1 sustaining negative prices through to at least 16:30 AEST, and SA1 reaching as low as -$9.91/MWh around 13:00 AEST. QLD1 will follow a similar trajectory, with predispatch windows touching negative territory from around 10:00 AEST before recovering toward $39–40/MWh by 14:30 AEST. Tasmania is the clear outlier — prices hold in the $73–83/MWh range throughout the forecast horizon, with a modest dip to around $69/MWh visible near 11:30 AEST; load shifting opportunity there is limited compared to the mainland.

The primary load-shifting window across NSW1, VIC1, SA1, and QLD1 is 09:30–14:00 AEST, with the deepest savings concentrated in the 10:30–13:30 AEST band. NSW1 savings indicators reach 80–87% during this window, SA1 tops 69%, and VIC1 and QLD1 similarly sit in the 82–85% range. SA1 presents the strongest per-interval opportunity today given intermittent predispatch prices below -$9/MWh, which means flexible load that can absorb during those intervals is effectively paid to consume. VIC1 sustains negative or near-zero prices across a longer consecutive stretch — from now through to approximately 16:30 AEST — making it the best region for loads requiring a wider continuous window rather than a sharp trough.

Periods to avoid are the morning ramp before 09:00 AEST, particularly in QLD1 where current spot sits at $64.83/MWh and predispatch holds above $39/MWh through the 14:30 AEST interval before falling. NSW1 is similarly elevated at present and TAS1 will see prices climb toward $81–83/MWh around 17:00–18:00 AEST as the evening demand ramp arrives. WA1 data is stale (last settlement 09:30 AEST yesterday) and should not be used for today's scheduling decisions without a refresh.

**Concrete recommendation:** Schedule all deferrable flexible load in NSW1, QLD1, VIC1, and SA1 to run between **10:30 and 13:30 AEST**. For loads that can tolerate a slightly earlier start, VIC1 is already at negative prices and that opportunity is live now. For SA1, target the 11:00–13:00 AEST sub-window where predispatch shows the steepest negative excursions. Ensure loads are shed or curtailed before 14:30 AEST in QLD1 and NSW1 as prices step back toward $40/MWh. TAS