Load Advisor: Wednesday 27 May 2026

NEM-wide spot prices are sitting at moderate-to-elevated levels heading into the Thursday morning peak, with NSW1 at $138.94/MWh, VIC1 at $136.38/MWh, SA1 at $145.12/MWh, QLD1 at $132.83/MWh, and TAS1 at $97.99/MWh. The overnight period from 07:00 AEST through to approximately 15:00 AEST today represents the deepest and most sustained trough across the NEM's eastern mainland. NSW1 predispatch prices will fall to the $87–$120/MWh range through the 07:30–15:30 AEST window, VIC1 to $85–$110/MWh through 08:00–16:00 AEST, and QLD1 into the $77–$91/MWh band from 08:30–15:00 AEST — the cheapest sustained period across the mainland. TAS1 is already the lowest-priced region at $98/MWh and will remain anchored in the $97–$106/MWh range through the morning, making it consistently competitive but without a sharp trough relative to its current level.

The primary risk windows to avoid are the afternoon evening peak and the pre-dawn ramp. SA1 carries the highest exposure today, with predispatch prices escalating sharply from around 17:00 AEST and forecasts showing values repeatedly reaching $262–$320/MWh through the 17:00–20:30 AEST window, with spikes to $319/MWh at 20:00 AEST. NSW1 and VIC1 will also see elevated prices from approximately 16:30 AEST, with NSW1 forecasts clustering around $154–$178/MWh and VIC1 around $163–$183/MWh through the evening peak. QLD1 carries less evening risk relative to the southern states, with its afternoon ramp capped around $107–$122/MWh from 16:30 AEST, but still materially above the overnight trough.

SA1 offers the largest absolute savings opportunity for any load with scheduling flexibility, with the spread between the overnight floor (~$104–$139/MWh) and the evening peak ($262–$320/MWh) exceeding $160–$215/MWh on a $/MWh basis. For QLD1 customers, the 08:30–14:00 AEST window is the standout slot, with prices forecast at $77–$85/MWh — the lowest on the NEM mainland today. VIC1's deepest window runs 09:00–15:00 AEST, where prices are expected at $85–$98/MWh.

Recommendation: Schedule all deferrable loads — industrial processes, EV charging, thermal pre-conditioning, and battery charging cycles — to concentrate in the 08:00–14:00 AEST band across all regions. QLD1 loads should target the 08:30–13:00 AEST slot specifically for the cheapest rates. SA1 operators with any load flexibility should prioritise the 08:00–15:00 AEST window and exercise maximum curtailment or demand response from 17:00 AEST onwards. NSW1 and VIC1 flexible loads should be fully dispatched before