Directions to SA Generators – 1 January 2026

On 1 January 2026, AEMO issued a direction to TIB1 (Torrens Island BESS) in South Australia to maintain power system security during a Minimum System Load (MSL) event.

On 27 December 2025, AEMO identified an elevated risk of insufficient demand to maintain a secure operating state in South Australia on 1 January 2026. Initial forecasts indicated an MSL1 condition; however, successive updates forecast an MSL2 condition between 1100 hrs and 1430 hrs, with minimum demand expected to reach -257 MW at 1330 hrs. AEMO sought a market response and determined that intervention may be required from 0700 hrs.

As no market response was available to address the forecast conditions, AEMO issued a direction to TIB1 at 0715 hrs, requiring the unit to remain synchronised and follow dispatch targets. An actual MSL2 condition was subsequently declared at 1200 hrs and cancelled at 1345 hrs. The direction to TIB1 was cancelled from 1350 hrs.

Where AEMO intervenes in the National Electricity Market (NEM) through the use of directions, AEMO must publish a report in accordance with National Electricity Rules (NER) clauses 4.8.9(f) and 3.13.6A.

The NEM Event report below satisfies those NER obligations and is based on information available to AEMO at the time of publication: