The volatility of the NEM was showcased again on Monday as South Australia experienced two major price spikes in the space of an hour. Using NEM-Watch’s play back feature (screenshot below) we were able to relive when the two price spikes hit. At 2:35pm the South Australian dispatch price hit $2384.08 and then fell before spiking again at 3:10pm at $2410.23.
A screenshot from NEM-Watch at 3:10pm on Monday the 14th of December 2015.
What caused the spike in price? Was it a fall in wind production?
Demand spiked, Angaston (diesel) dropped 37 MW, and Ladbroke (gas, price setter) was constrained down due to network limitations. Wind dropped 5 MW the first event and 18 MW the second time. Small changes compared to diesel and demand.