sa MARKET UPDATE
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Electricity Prices
In November 2025, we saw South Australia’s electricity market largely supported by strong renewable generation and battery storage, keeping wholesale prices lower than winter peaks. Midday rooftop solar and wind generation continued to moderate prices, while evening demand periods remained the most sensitive. Spot prices spiked during late afternoons and evenings when solar output declined and wind generation dipped. Gas-fired power stations provided reliable backup, helping maintain system stability despite occasional supply fluctuations.​
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Generation Mix
Throughout November, South Australia’s electricity supply came from a mix of gas, coal, wind, and solar, with renewables still contributing roughly 55–60% of total generation. Key drivers of market activity included:
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Scheduled gas outages: Torrens Island Power Station experienced maintenance early in the month, tightening supply and contributing to short-term price pressure.
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Network constraints: Congestion in Adelaide and regional networks affected supply during peak demand periods, adding to volatility.
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Variable wind generation: Fluctuating wind output in the evenings created short-lived price spikes.
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Solar relief during the day: Rooftop solar continued to push daytime prices lower, although evening demand spikes occurred as solar output fell.
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Battery support: Assets like Dalrymple and Lake Bonney helped smooth peaks, storing excess energy during the day and discharging during high-demand periods.
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Futures Pricing
South Australia’s forward electricity prices in November remain fairly steady, with only moderate fluctuations compared to previous months. Daytime prices were supported by strong solar output, keeping costs lower during the middle of the day. Evening peak prices stayed higher, driven by declining solar and wind generation and higher demand after business hours.
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Overall, the market looks a little more stable heading into summer, but businesses should be aware that electricity costs can still rise during peak periods when supply is tighter.
what is means for your business
We observed that South Australia as one of the more stable electricity markets in the NEM, but businesses with high evening or continuous energy demand, including manufacturing, food processing, and data centres, still need to plan for potential short-term price spikes.
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Maintenance at gas generators and network congestion adds further uncertainty, so relying solely on spot market prices could expose businesses to sudden cost increases. By monitoring market trends, validating metering data, and planning procurement strategies, we can help businesses reduce risk, improve cost certainty, and optimise energy usage.
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If your business does not yet have a strategy in place, we can help. Contact us for a free bill check or to discuss a tailored energy procurement plan.
SA ELECTRICITY FUTURE PRICING CHARt​
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Minimum System Load (MSL) Events in South Australia
In November, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) issued several market notices and directions due to periods of minimum system load (MSL) in South Australia. On 11–12 November, AEMO directed the Torrens Battery and Barker Inlet Power Station to maintain a secure operating state during very low daytime demand, driven by high rooftop solar generation. These low-demand conditions continued throughout 18–19 November, with multiple notices issued as demand dropped below advisory thresholds.
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During these periods, AEMO also intervened in the market, issuing directions to participants such as AGL’s Barker Inlet Power Station on 18 November to manage voltage and ensure system stability.
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES
While MSL events are primarily a technical system issue, they illustrate the increasing impact of rooftop solar and variable renewable generation on grid operations. For businesses, this highlights the importance of understanding how low daytime demand and high solar output can affect pricing, scheduling, and potential market interventions.
Companies with flexible energy usage or large daytime consumption may see opportunities to optimise their demand, while those with high reliance on fixed contracts should monitor market conditions closely.
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The Statutes Amendment (Energy and Mining Reforms) Bill 2025 continued its passage through the South Australian Parliament in November, marking an important step in modernising the state’s regulatory framework for energy, mining, and hydrogen projects. The Bill introduces key reforms to the Mining Act, streamlining approval processes for exploration, extraction, and related activities within South Australia.
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It also includes consequential updates to the Energy Resources and Hydrogen Acts, providing greater clarity and consistency for emerging sectors such as low-emission energy generation and hydrogen production. By reducing red tape and creating a more predictable regulatory environment, the Bill aims to support both domestic and international investment in energy and critical minerals projects across the state.
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES
For energy users in South Australia, the Bill could indirectly affect electricity and gas costs over the long term. By encouraging investment in new generation, storage, and hydrogen infrastructure, the reforms may increase supply options and help moderate future price volatility. A clearer and more stable regulatory environment also supports growth in renewables and low-emission technologies, providing businesses with opportunities to secure cleaner, more cost-stable energy as the state transitions toward a low-carbon future.​​​
On 13 November 2025, Ampyr Australia announced it has acquired Green Gold Energy’s 270 MW / 2,160 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and will relocate it to the site of the former Northern Power Station in Port Augusta. The project, now called the Northern Battery, is expected to begin construction in 2026 and enter operation by mid-2028.
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Ampyr plans to use grid‑forming inverter technology, which will allow the battery to provide voltage and frequency control, effectively behaving like a traditional generator when needed. By relocating the project to the coal power station site, Ampyr can leverage existing substation infrastructure, helping reduce costs and construction risk. The company is also working with the Port Augusta community, including a $40,000 Community Benefit Fund, to deliver local social and economic benefits.
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES
This development signals a major step in South Australia’s shift away from coal and toward long-duration storage as a core part of grid stability. For energy-intensive businesses, grid-forming batteries like the Northern Battery can enhance reliability by supporting the system during periods of low renewable output or high demand. That stability may reduce the risk of price volatility and supply disruptions, particularly important for companies with critical operations or high energy dependence.​​
