Week 44
26 Oct to 1 November 2026
The NEM weekly average price fell 16 per cent against the prior week to $74.80/MWh. Energy Minister Chris Bowen submitted two AEMC rule change requests for data centre firming obligations. Snowy Hydro updated the cost projection for its 2.2 GW pumped hydro expansion to between $22 billion and $25 billion.
News
-
AEMO directed three wind farms in Victoria to briefly disconnect for system strength on the morning of 28 October. WattClarity
-
Energy Minister Chris Bowen submitted two AEMC rule change requests requiring data centres to firm demand with regional clean energy contracts. The Energy Co
-
The Western Australian Government doubled its renewable energy target for the South West Interconnected System from 40 per cent to 75 per cent within five years. Energy Source & Distribution
-
Snowy Hydro projected its 2.2 GW pumped hydro expansion will cost between $22 billion and $25 billion, scheduling completion for late 2029. Energy Source & Distribution
-
Developers reached financial close or started construction on 12 renewable projects totalling 2.6 GW in the first half of 2026. The Energy Co
-
Neoen raised a $1.8 billion debt financing package for a 1.2 GW Australian renewable energy portfolio. Energy Source & Distribution
Policy
-
The AEMC received a rule change request from Energy Minister Chris Bowen on 20 October to amend the National Electricity Rules for data centre contracting obligations. AEMC
-
The AEMC received a rule change request from the federal energy department on 20 October to amend the connections framework for integrated facilities. AEMC
-
AEMO opened consultation on the IN008-25 East Coast Gas Life Support Changes, with submissions closing on 17 November. AEMO
-
The AER published its decision on 30 October rejecting proposed tariff structure statement amendments by Ergon Energy and Energex. AER
Market
-
The NEM weekly average price fell 16 per cent against the prior week to $74.80/MWh, with Tasmania and South Australia recording the largest percentage decreases. NEM recap 1 Nov
-
South Australia recorded the highest price of the week at $348.97/MWh at 06:00 on 28 October. NEM recap 28 Oct
-
South Australia recorded 108.8 hours of negative prices, representing 64.8 per cent of the week for the region. NEM recap 1 Nov
-
Total FCAS costs reached $1.49 million, increasing 25.5 per cent against the prior week. NEM recap 1 Nov
-
The NEM renewable generation share reached a peak of 77.3 per cent at 12:05 on 29 October. NEM recap 29 Oct
Commodities
-
Brent Crude increased 1.5 per cent to US$113.43 a barrel, while Newcastle Coal fell 0.2 per cent to US$150.45/t.
-
TTF Gas increased 10.8 per cent to EUR103.94/MWh, while US Natural Gas decreased 4.9 per cent to US$2.90/mmbtu.
Dates to Watch
AEMO East Coast Gas Life Support Changes submissions close.
AEMOVictorian state election.
The Energy CoDates extracted from the week's sources. Verify with the linked publications.
AI-generated from 40 articles and 13 regulator updates · gemini-3.1-pro-preview
This dispatch is AI-generated from the week's aggregated headlines, regulator updates and market data. It is not editorial opinion.