Demand hits new peaks in NEM and Victoria as heatwaves sweep country

Thursday marked another day in Australia’s electricity market records, this time along the eastern seaboard, as hot and sunny conditions led to notable new peaks in energy demand and supply.

Among the key records broken were the highest ever 5-minute native Demand in the history of the National Electricity Market.

The new level of 38,638 MW – comprising total grid demand, plus non-scheduled demand and rooftop solar – beat the previous record of 38,601 MW set more than four years ago on January 31, 2020, just before the onset of the first Covid lockdown. This milestone illustrates a remarkable rebound and growth in energy demand.

Victoria also experienced its highest 5-minute native demand, reaching 10,972.5 MW at 1535 (grid time) on February 22, an increase of 540.8 MW (or 5.18%) from the previous record of 10,431.7 MW set a year ago on February 17, 2023.

As always, these records reflect the evolving energy landscape in Australia, the resilience of our infrastructure, the changing patterns of consumption and a recovery from the pandemic, now a distant memory. They also underscore the importance of robust energy policies and the increasing role of renewable sources.

See also: Grid demand records smashed as W.A. becomes hottest place on the plant.

And: Batteries go full tilt and set records as prices lurch from market floor to cap

Geoff Eldridge is co-found of GPE NEMLog.