Load Advisor — Friday 8 May 2026

Predispatch forecasts point to a sustained, NEM-wide low-price window running from approximately 08:30 AEST through to 15:30 AEST today, with NSW1 and QLD1 offering the deepest discounts — prices in both regions are sitting at or below $1/MWh across large stretches of the overnight-to-morning corridor, with multiple intervals printing negative (as low as −$7.03/MWh in NSW1 and −$5.73/MWh in QLD1). VIC1 is tracking similarly, with predispatch prices clustered around $8.95–$9/MWh through the 10:00–15:30 AEST window. SA1 is the clear outlier: prices are anchored at $98–$107/MWh across virtually the entire dispatch horizon visible in this dataset, with only isolated intervals dipping to $49–$60/MWh. TAS1 holds a flat $88.18/MWh throughout the day with minimal variation. Operators with flexible SA1 loads face structurally higher costs regardless of timing, and any interruptible load in that region should target the few $49/MWh slots visible around 09:30–14:30 AEST as the best available relief.

The optimal load-shifting window for NSW1, QLD1, and VIC1 is 08:30–14:00 AEST today. NSW1 prices will remain near floor levels through this period, with negative-price intervals clustered between 11:30 AEST and 13:30 AEST representing the strongest incentive — loads that can be scheduled into these intervals will be paid to consume. QLD1 shows a similar profile, with negative prices persisting from roughly 08:30 AEST through 15:00 AEST; the deepest QLD1 interval is −$5.73/MWh. VIC1's sub-$10/MWh stretch runs from approximately 10:00 AEST to 15:30 AEST, with prices reverting sharply to $62–$65/MWh by 16:30 AEST as the evening demand ramp begins. The transition is abrupt: VIC1 predispatch shows prices jumping from ~$38/MWh at 16:00 AEST to $62–$65/MWh within 30 minutes, so loads must be shed before 15:30 AEST to avoid exposure.

Periods to avoid are clear. NSW1 and VIC1 evening peaks will arrive from 16:00–19:00 AEST, with VIC1 already showing $62–$65/MWh in predispatch for the 16:30 AEST slot and NSW1 lifting to $52–$58/MWh by 16:00 AEST. SA1 carries no meaningful low-price window today — its baseline sits $50–$60/MWh above the mainland average and operators there should minimise discretionary load across the full day rather than target a specific window. TAS1's $88.18/MWh flat price reflects the hydro-dominated pricing structure; there is no load-shifting arbitrage available in that region today.

**Concrete recommendation:** Schedule all deferrable loads — EV charging, battery charging, water heating, desalination, industrial processing — in NSW1 and QLD1 between 09:00 and 14