The NEM is undergoing its fastest-ever transformation. Coal is exiting, renewables are dominating, and grid stability is the defining challenge.
View live wholesale prices →Stats updated: 2026-09-06
Wholesale electricity prices across the National Electricity Market (NEM) fell to an average of AU$74/MWh in Q2 2026, a 47% decrease year-on-year, primarily due to increased renewable generation and battery discharge. For residential consumers, average annual electricity bills for a two-person all-electric household on a standing offer are projected to fall in 2026-27, ranging from as low as AU$1,481/year in Melbourne's CitiPower zone to as high as AU$3,122/year in South Australia. However, underlying electricity tariffs saw an approximate 3.8% national increase at the July 2025 regulatory reset, influenced by factors such as LNG wholesale costs, coal plant closures, and network investment recovery.
AEMO's 2026 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) indicates an improved reliability outlook for the National Electricity Market, with no forecast reliability gaps identified before 2030. This improved outlook is contingent on the timely delivery of committed and anticipated new generation, storage, and transmission projects, alongside existing ageing coal-fired generators maintaining reliable operation until their announced retirement dates. For example, Australia's largest coal-fired power station, Eraring in NSW, has had its closure extended from August 2027 to April 2029 to support secure and stable power supply during the transition.
The Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides an upfront discount on eligible home battery systems across Australia. From May to December 2026, the rebate can be a maximum of AU$272 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of usable battery capacity for systems between 5 and 50 kWh. This scheme aims to reduce the cost of home battery systems by around 30%, potentially delivering savings of up to AU$3,808 for a 14 kWh battery installation.
Navigate Australia's public EV charging landscape in 2026. This guide compares Tesla Supercharger, Chargefox, Evie, AmpCharge, and BP Pulse on costs, reliability, and network coverage.
Read guide → GuideCompare the best home EV chargers for Australian homes in 2026, including performance, smart features, and costs. Unlock savings and choose the right charger for your EV.
Read guide → GuideUnderstand the true annual running costs of an EV in Australia for 2026, covering charging, servicing, insurance, registration, and depreciation, with a typical annual saving of $1,500-$3,000 compared to petrol cars.
Read guide →UOW secures $1.55 million to develop intelligent grid tech for Australia. The project aims to unlock hidden capacity, reduce renewable energy curtailment, and boost efficient integration.
Queensland commits an additional $350 million to fast-track grid connections and infrastructure in the Central Renewable Energy Zone, aiming to reduce future power costs and accelerate renewable energy deployment from 2026.
The AER has rejected Transgrid's bid to add $1.2 billion in Project EnergyConnect costs to NSW consumer bills, protecting your wallet from further increases.
Australia's largest transmission project, Project EnergyConnect, is now energised, bringing a $3.6 billion upgrade to the grid. Discover how it could lower power bills for SA and NSW consumers in 2026.
AEMO's 2026 report reveals Australian data centres will consume 13% of National Electricity Market power by 2036, a seven-fold increase impacting grid stability and future bills.
South Australian households with rooftop solar systems are experiencing a temporary curtailment today as SA Power Networks conducts its annual grid stability test, impacting 100,000 customers. Learn what this means for your power bill and the future of grid management.
NSW government introduces new $200,000/MW grid connection fees for data centres to manage surging demand and protect household electricity bills. Consultation open until Sept 14, 2026.
Victorian Coalition pledges to axe the $11 billion VNI West transmission project, raising questions about grid stability and future energy prices for households and businesses in August 2026.
SA Power Networks will conduct its annual solar curtailment test on August 25, temporarily impacting 100,000 rooftop solar systems to ensure grid stability.
AER and AEMO reports confirm grid-scale batteries slashed eastern NEM wholesale electricity prices by 47% in Q2 2026, reshaping Australia's fragmented grid and potentially lowering your bills.
Transgrid has implemented a new six-part readiness test for data centre developers seeking grid connections in NSW, effective August 14, 2026, to tackle 'phantom demand' and ensure grid stability.
Queensland's $150 million investment in northern REZ transmission upgrades will unlock new renewable energy projects and enhance grid stability by 2027, accelerating the state's energy transition.
AEMO has issued an urgent warning for Victoria and South Australia, forecasting electricity supply shortfalls from July 2028 as coal plants retire. Understand the implications for grid reliability.
NSW introduces new legislation in August 2026 requiring data centres to cover grid connection costs and fund new renewables, shielding your power bill from rising demand.
AEMO's Q2 2026 report reveals NSW and Victorian wholesale spot prices plummeted up to 60%. Discover how record renewables reshape your electricity bill.
AEMO's 2026 General Power System Risk Review reveals grid-forming batteries are not yet confirmed for highest-tier system strength, crucial for NEM stability.
The AER's new Framework and Approach, released July 31, outlines the regulatory path for Transgrid's 2028-2033 revenue proposal, impacting future NSW grid investments and power bills.
NSW has approved the Hunter Transmission Project, a 110km, 500kV line set to unlock 5GW of renewable energy, create 830 construction jobs, and lower electricity prices by late 2029.
NSW network operators, Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy, seek to recover $128 million for mandatory solar curtailment technology, impacting household bills from 2027. Public submissions to the AER close August 21, 2026.
The Albanese Government is investing $30 million into 14 smart grid projects across Australia, enhancing renewable energy integration and grid stability. Discover what this means for your energy future in 2026.
Australia's grid gets a $30 million boost this week. Discover how 14 new smart grid projects, including EV-to-grid tech, aim to lower your energy bills and integrate more renewables by 2026.
The Australian Government has allocated AUD$30 million to 14 innovative smart grid projects this July 2026, enhancing grid stability and renewable integration.
Australia's new framework mandates large data centres to underwrite their own renewable power and pay grid connection costs, shielding household electricity bills from surging demand, effective July 2026.
NSW's $1.8 billion Stratford project, approved this week, transforms a former coal mine into a 620MW pumped hydro and solar hub, powering 120,000 homes.
Australia's energy market rule-maker moves to slash rooftop solar curtailment, proposing a new 20-year distribution network plan to improve grid efficiency from July 2026.
AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan outlines the need for 6,000 kilometres of new transmission lines by 2050 to support Australia's renewable energy transition and grid stability.
Victoria's new 300-tonne synchronous condenser at Ararat is now live, immediately unlocking 600 MW of new wind and solar capacity in western Victoria and boosting grid stability from July 2026.
AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan details a $106 billion grid transformation, forecasting 120GW of renewables and significant data centre demand by 2050, impacting future power bills.
Transgrid's 900km EnergyConnect project, linking NSW, SA, and Victoria, is now energised, bringing 800MW of transfer capacity to the NEM. Learn how this critical infrastructure bolsters grid stability and integrates renewable energy.
From July 1, Tasmania's Basslink interconnector is fully AEMO controlled. This regulatory shift impacts grid stability, electricity flows, and Marinus Link's future in 2026.
AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan reveals how accelerating battery investment will cut $30 billion from transmission costs by 2050, reshaping Australia's grid.
Australia's grid overhaul is shifting focus as AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan slashes 1,435km of planned transmission, driven by booming battery storage and surging data centre demand by 2050.
AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan details a $106 billion investment by 2050, crucial for meeting Australia's doubling electricity demand and stabilising future power bills.
Australia's largest interconnector, EnergyConnect, is now fully energised across NSW, Victoria, and South Australia, promising AUD$964 million in net benefits and bolstering grid stability.
Australia's largest transmission project, EnergyConnect, is now fully energised, linking NSW, Victoria, and South Australia. Discover how this $3.6 billion infrastructure, despite a $1.5 billion cost blowout, will boost renewable energy flow and impact your future electricity bills.
The NSW Government is investing $225 million into South West REZ grid upgrades, set to lower electricity bills and power 1.6 million homes by 2026.
Transgrid completes NSW's $3.8 billion Project EnergyConnect, Australia's largest transmission line. Understand the impact on your 2027 electricity bills and grid stability.
Akaysha Energy's 415 MW / 1,660 MWh Orana Battery Energy Storage System has reached full operational output in NSW, enhancing grid stability and renewable integration in the National Electricity Market.
Transgrid launches early planning for the $3.2 billion Sydney Ring South project, aiming to relieve grid bottlenecks and deliver up to $51 annual savings for NSW households.
Australia's grid is set for a major overhaul as the federal government commits $17 billion to 19 new renewable energy projects, with a new tender opening May 25, 2026.
New South Wales kicks off its largest ever renewable energy tender for 2.5 GW generation and 12 GWh storage, aiming to power 1.26 million homes and stabilise grid prices by late 2026.
New South Wales opens its largest-ever tenders seeking 2.5 GW of renewable generation and 12.5 GWh of long-duration energy storage to secure future power supply.
New South Wales has launched its largest renewable energy tenders, seeking 2.5 GW of generation and 12 GWh of storage by 2034 to stabilise the grid and lower power bills. Discover the details of Tenders 8 and 9.
NSW has fast-tracked 2.1 GWh of battery and Virtual Power Plant firming capacity, securing your electricity supply for summer 2027-28 and beyond in Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong.
Transgrid has sought an additional $350 million for Project EnergyConnect from the AER in May 2026. This cost increase could impact electricity bills across NSW and SA.
Massive 124-tonne transformers have reached HumeLink substations in NSW, marking a key milestone for the 365km transmission project set to enhance grid stability and deliver cleaner energy by 2028.
Tasmania's electricity grid is set for a major overhaul with a $1.2 billion investment from the CEFC, targeting $315 million in consumer benefits by 2031 through enhanced transmission and renewable energy integration.
Tasmanian electricity bills set to fall. A $1.2B CEFC investment in TasNetworks' North West Transmission Developments targets a 55% cut in network charges, delivering $315M in savings over five years, boosting grid stability and Project Marinus.
Fortescue's chairman Andrew Forrest revealed AI-powered battery systems are stabilising its Pilbara mining grid in nanoseconds, a major leap for Australian grid resilience in 2026.
NSW introduces a new law to accelerate approvals for major renewable energy and grid projects. Discover what this means for electricity supply and the transition from coal.
Western Australia has approved 1.9 GW of new renewables and 3.7 GWh of battery storage, backed by over AUD$5 billion, accelerating its 2030 clean energy target.
New South Wales opens new gas exploration areas for the first time in over a decade from May 2026, a move impacting future energy bills and grid stability as the state transitions to renewables.
Federal government greenlights 10 new wind, solar, and battery projects in Western Australia under the Capacity Investment Scheme, adding 1.886 GW and 3.683 GWh to the grid in 2026.
The Australian Energy Regulator has approved new network charges for 2026-27, impacting electricity bills across most states. Discover how these changes, driven by transmission costs and inflation, will affect your household and business energy costs.
Australia's energy grid is undergoing unprecedented change. AEMO's Q1 2026 report reveals record renewable generation, battery contributions, and shifting wholesale prices.
Transgrid's HumeLink project has secured critical final planning approval in NSW, accelerating the integration of renewables and bolstering grid stability. Learn what this milestone means for Australia's energy transition and future electricity costs.
New estimates place Snowy 2.0's total cost at AUD$42 billion, triggering calls for a Royal Commission into Australia's largest energy project.
AEMO's latest Q1 2026 Connections Scorecard reveals a 62% surge in Australia's battery storage pipeline to 33.2GW, with 74% featuring grid-forming inverters.
AEMO's Q1 2026 Connections Scorecard reveals a 33% surge in renewable energy and battery projects, stressing Australia's grid and transmission needs.
AEMO's recent directive to an SA power station highlights growing grid stability challenges as South Australia targets 100% renewables by 2027. Daily Energy News investigates the implications for 2026.
AEMO issued a rare direction to an SA generator on April 17, 2026, to maintain voltage control, highlighting grid stability challenges amid the state's rapid renewable energy transition.
Western Australia's Benchmark Reserve Capacity Price for 2028-29 has surged 35% to AUD 488,500/MW/year, driven by a shift to longer-duration battery storage.
Construction work on the Marinus Link interconnector has begun in Gippsland. Discover what this means for grid stability and energy prices in 2026.
A major milestone has been reached in Australia's energy transition, with the first transmission tower for the Central-West Orana REZ erected in NSW.