List of privately-owned merchant portfolio generators in Australia

Inquiry identifies privately-owned merchant portfolio generators in Australia

A report prepared for the Owen Inquiry by Morgan Stanley lists four privately-owned merchant portfolio generators in Australia. Reference: Morgan Stanley, Report to the Owen Inquiry: Securing Private Investment in New Generation in New South Wales, 31 August, 2007. 16/10/2007

17 October: Sydney temps cooler than expected

How new NSW gas-fired peakers changed price spikes in 2001 and 200

How new NSW gas-fired peakers changed price spikes in 2001 and 2002 A chart showing standard deviation in the electricity pool price per quarter contained in a report “Securing Private Investment in New Generation in New South Wales” prepared by Morgan Stanley for the Owen Inquiry also demonstrated the commissioning of gas-fired peakers during 2001 and 2002.

Reference: Morgan Stanley, Report to the Owen Inquiry: Securing Private Investment in New Generation in New South Wales, 31 August, 2007.

Market report for Tuesday, 16 October: 10 negative price intervals see Tas with minus $96.41/MWh as NSW, Vic, SA and Qld rise 11-13pc to $31.36-$34.84/MWh range on higher demand

Ten negative price trading intervals with prices between minus $158.68/MWh and minus $999.68/MWh resulted in Tasmania recording an average of minus $96.41/MWh, with NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland up 11-13 per cent to a range of $31.36-$34.84/MWh. System-wide maximum demand was up 712MW (2.7 per cent) with rises in all regions, led by the 316MW increase in NSW.

Tuesday, 16 October: One LRC omission and one addition for Qld in MT PASA list for week to 16 October

NEMMCO made two changes in the list for low reserve condition (LRC) in the medium term projected assessment of system adequacy (MT PASA) issued at 1314EST on Tuesday, 16 October following one change the previous week.

Tuesday, 16 October: Tas goes negative with 10 trading intervals between minus $158.68/MWh and minus $999.68/MWh

Tasmania recorded negative prices of between minus $158.68/MWh and minus $999.68/MWh in 10 30-minute trading intervals on Tuesday, 16 October. From morning to early afternoon: The negative prices started in the 0900EST interval and continued though until the 1400EST interval, with only one positive price in this period.

Range of negative prices: There were two negative prices between minus $100 and minus $200, two between minus $300 and minus $400, one between minus $400 and minus $500, 1 between minus $600 and minus $700, 1 between minus $800 and minus $900 and three over minus $900 – two at minus $999.67/MWh and one at minus $999.68/MWh.

Average at minus $96.41/MWh: These 10 trading intervals forced Tasmania’s average price for the day down to minus $96.41/MWh.

Highest price of day, too: Tasmania also recorded the day’s highest price for the NEM regions of $69.96/MWh in the 0630EST interval.

Demand up: Maximum demand of 1392MW in the 1930EST interval was up 87MW (6.7 per cent) on Monday.

Reference: National Price for Tasmania for one day, Tuesday 16 October, in Price/Demand section of Erisk Net – Realtime NEM Data.
http://www.erisk.net

Erisk Net, 17/10/2007

Wednesday, 17 October: Tas in about turn: Spike to $8000.16/MWh in morning trading interval tipped after 10 negative price intervals on Tuesda

The NEMMCO predispatch at 6.53 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 October predicted a spike to $8000.16/MWh for the 30-minute trading interval ended 0900EST. Average price of $191.13/MWh expected: This large spike is expected to be enough to push Tasmania’s average price to $191.13/MWh following an average of minus $96.41/MWh on Tuesday when there were 10 negative price intervals with prices ranging from minus $158.68/MWh to $999.68/MWh.

Demand up: Tasmania’s maximum demand is predicted to continue rising, up 72MW (5.2 per cent) to 1464MW following an 87MW rise on Tuesday. Tasmania is the only NEM region expected to register an increase in maximum demand on Wednesday.

Reference: Pool Price for Tasmania in NEMMCO predispatch at 6.53 a.m. on Wednesday in User Defined section of Erisk Net – Realtime NEM Data.
http://www.erisk.net

Market report for Sunday, 14 October: Multiple negative price intervals knock Tas average down 44pc, with NSW, Vic, SA and Qld falling 23-32pc to $10.55-$22.00/MWh range on falling demand

Eleven successive negative price intervals from the start of the trading day in the 0430EST interval knocked Tasmania’s average price down 44 per cent, with NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland falling 23-32 per cent to a range of $10.55-$22.00/MWh.

Market forecast for Monday, 15 October: Average prices down 26-39pc to $25.43-$28.03/MWh range on falling demand

Average prices are expected to fall 26-39 per cent on Friday, the previous week day, to a range of $25.43-28.03/MWh. System-wide maximum demand is predicted to fall 874MW (3.3 per cent) to 26,918MW, with falls in all regions.
The forecast temperature ranges for the NEM capitals are: Sydney 15-28 degrees (11-23 on Sunday); Melbourne 13-27 degrees (11-23); Adelaide 13-29 degrees (9-21); Brisbane 15-28 degrees (15-24); and Hobart 11-21 degrees (10-20). 6.31 a.m. predispatch forecast: The following are the forecast prices and demands for the NEM regions at the predispatch at 6.31 a.m. today.

• NSW: The predicted average price is $28.03/MWh, down $9.75/MWh (26 per cent) on the $37.78/MWh average on Friday, the previous week day. Maximum price is forecast to be $38.29/MWh. Average demand is expected to be 8719MW, up 78MW (0.9 per cent) on Friday’s 8641MW while maximum demand is predicted to be 9959MW, up 198MW (2.0 per cent) on Friday’s 9761MW.

• Victoria: The forecast average price is $26.51/MWh, down $14.38/MWh (35 per cent) on the $40.90/MWh average on Friday, the previous week day. Maximum price is expected to be $37.72/MWh. Average demand is predicted to be down 236MW (3.9 per cent) to 5860MW on Friday’s 6096MW while maximum demand is forecast to be 6499MW, down 240MW (3.6 per cent)on Friday’s 6739MW.

• South Australia: The expected average price is $27.61/MWh, down $12.02/MWh (30 per cent) on the $39.63/MWh average on Friday, the previous week day. Maximum price is predicted to be $35.39/MWh. Average demand is forecast to be down 27MW (1.9 per cent) to 1386MW on Friday’s 1413MW while maximum demand is expected to be 1575MW, down 51MW (3.1 per cent) on Friday’s 1626MW.

• Queensland: The predicted average price is $25.43/MWh, down $16.51/MWh (39 per cent) on the $41.94/MWh average on Friday, the previous week day. Maximum price is forecast to be $35.42/MWh. Average demand is expected to be down 299MW (4.9 per cent) to 5764MW on Friday’s 6063MW while maximum demand is predicted to be 6569MW, down 703MW (9.7 per cent) on Friday’s 7272MW.

• Tasmania: The forecast average price is $28.03/MWh, down $11.54/MWh (29 per cent) on the $39.57/MWh on Friday, the previous week day. Maximum price is expected to be $48.82/MWh. Average demand is predicted to drop 36MW (3.2 per cent) to 1103MW on Friday’s 1139MW while maximum demand is expected to be 1295MW, down 41MW (3.1 per cent) on the 1336MW on Friday.

Single Infoserver only on Tuesday: NEMMCO advised that routine maintenance work required on the MMS production Infoservers meant a single Infoserver would be in use between 0930EST and 1400EST on Tuesday, 16 October. It said no impact was expected.

The weather:
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued the following weather outlook for the following three days. In addition, it issued the following forecast for the coming day’s clear sky maximum UV (ultraviolet radiation) index for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Hobart. The BOM has three categories for forecasts relating to cloud cover: Clear/scattered, when more than half the sky is clear of cloud; Broken, when there are some breaks in cloud but more than half the sky is covered; and Overcast, when the sky is totally covered in cloud.

• The forecast for Sydney today is fine and sunny with an extreme clear sky UV index of 11 and a temperature range of 15-28 degrees. Tomorrow should be fine with an an afternoon southerly change and a temperature range of 17-31. A mostly fine day is expected on Wednesday with a temperature range of 13-19.

• The forecast for Melbourne today is for a fine day with a very high clear sky UV index of 9 and a temperature range of 13-27 degrees. A few showers are forecast for tomorrow with a temperature range of 12-27. Wednesday should be fine with a temperature range of 9-20.

• The forecast for Adelaide today is fine and sunny with a wind change, a very high clear sky UV index of 9 and a temperature range of 17-29 degrees. Tomorrow should be fine and partly cloudy with a temperature range of 11-19. Wednesday is expected to be fine and sunny with a temperature range of 8-26.

• The forecast for Brisbane today and tomorrow is fine with a very high clear sky UV index of 10 today and temperature ranges of 15-28 degrees today and 15-31 tomorrow. Wednesday should be mostly fine with a temperature range of 16-26.

• The forecast for Hobart today is mainly fine and windy with a high clear sky UV index of 6 and a temperature range of 11-21 degrees. The forecast for tomorrow is for showers, mountain snow and a temperature range of 6-12. The forecast for Wednesday is becoming fine with a temperature range of 4-14.

Erisk Net, 15/10/2007

Market report for week to Saturday, 13 October: Storms, blackouts; Five days of spikes push Qld average price up 134pc, with Vic and Tas rising 1-11pc, SA steady and NSW down 5pc to overall $32.67-$111.53/MWh range on firmer demand

Market report for Wednesday, 10 October: Storms, $10,000 prices, directions and $3407.42/MWh spike in Qld push average price up 35pc, with NSW, Vic, SA and Tas down 1-14pc to overall $31-43-$113.39/MWh range on lower demand

An eventful day in Queensland with continuing storms, $10,000 dispatch prices to be reviewed, directions to three participants over credible contingencies and a spike with a top price of $3407.42/MWh saw average price rise 35 per cent to $113.39/MWh. Average prices fell 1-14 per cent in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania to a range of $31.43-$35.73/MWh.

Market forecast for Thursday, 11 October: Average prices up 1-3pc in NSW and Vic, down 1-68pc in SA, Qld and Tas to $31.090$36.48/MWh range on higher demand

Average prices are expected to rise 1-3 per cent in NSW and Victoria and fall 1-68 per cent in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania to a range of $31.09-$36.48/MWh. System-wide maximum demand is predicted to be up 229MW (0.9 per cent) to 26,304, with rises in all regions except Tasmania.

BHP Billiton, Centennial, Donaldson, Peabody l, Felix, Whitehaven plan new coal terminal at Kooragang, on NSW Hunter river

“The new coal terminal and shiploading facilities to be built near Kooragang, will include new rail infrastructure, stockyards and a deepening of the Hunter River,” he said. “The consortium building the terminal facilities — the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) — has estimated the project will create up to 1000 extra jobs in the Hunter, boosting coal exports by $1 billion and generating up to 5000 jobs across NSW.”

CO2 dump for NSW Central Coast: NSW Minister thinks it’s a first

A $5 million pilot carbon capture plant will be built on the NSW Central Coast, the state Government has announced, reported The Courier Mail (27/9/2007, p.B16).

Money from heaven: NSW Government to subsidise its very own Delta Energy, and pay CSIRO, to build CO2 dump for Munmorah with ammonia absorption

According to Marian Wilkinson, in The Australian, (27/7/2007, p.7), a NSW Munmorah CO2 dump plan to using ammonia absorption to strip CO2 from coal pollution was an initiative of the state-owned power generator, Delta Energy, and the CSIRO. The owner of the plant – the NSW Government hoped it could advance to a demonstration plant by 2008.

Market report for Thursday, 4 October: Qld spike, Tas negative price on day when average prices up 2-4pc in SA, Qld and Tas, down 7-10pc in NSW and Vic to $32.85-$46.94/MWh range on lower demand

An afternoon spike in Queensland and a morning negative price in Tasmania featured in a day when average prices rose 2-4 per cent in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania and fell 7-10 per cent in NSW and Victoria to a range of $32.85-$49.94/MWh.

Market forecast for Friday, 5 October: Average prices steady in SA and Tas, down 11-30pc in NSW, Vic and Qld to $32.69-$36.73/MWh range on lower demand

Average prices are expected to be steady in South Australia and Tasmania and drop 11-30 per cent in NSW, Victoria and Queensland to a range of $32.69-$36.73/MWh.

Jury of 15 to sit on trial of nine men caught in Australia’s biggest anti-terrorism sweep: conspiring “to do acts in preparation of a terrorist act”

NSW was expected to pass legislation allowing an expanded jury of 15 to sit on the trial of nine men caught in Australia’s biggest anti-terrorism sweep, wrote Michael Pelly in The Australian (24/9/2007, p.3).

Real Canadians have touch of protest madness themselves – three Canuck police go undercover at Quebec demo in face masks and camouflage gear, one clutching a large rock in his hand

The Chaser boys’ journey towards Bush’s hotel came as a hoot of larrikin delight, and a reminder that humour can puncture the most bloated and pompous subject, according to national affairs editor Tony Wright in The Age (8/9/2007, p.3).

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh rules out introducing daylight saving; overruled poll shows 60pc of Qld residents want to join same time zone as NSW and Victoria

According to Mark Ludlow in The Australian Financial Review, (2/10/2007, p. 7), Queensland Premier Anna Bligh yesterday ruled out introducing daylight saving. She overruled a government-commissioned poll that showed almost 60 per cent of Queensland residents wanted to join the same time zone as NSW and Victoria.

Value of Australian thermal coal exports in 2006-07 $6.8 billion; 6 per cent fall from 2005-06, as Australian dollar rises against US dollar

Market report for week to Saturday, 29 September: Spikes push Qld average price up 9pc, with NSW, Vic SA and Qld down 5-9pc to $40.61-$54.90/MWh range on weaker demand

Spikes on three days with top prices between $153.12/MWh and $1710.58/MWh pushed up Queensland’s average price by 9 per cent while the spike-free regions of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania fell 5-9 per cent to an overall range of $40.61-$54.90/MWh.

Market report for Friday, 28 September: Spikes push Qld average price up 4pc with Vic and SA rising 4-7pc, Tas steady and NSW down 1pc to $43.83-$59.72/MWh range on firmer demand

Spikes in Queensland pushed its average price up 4 per cent while Victoria and South Australia rose 4-7 per cent, Tasmania remained steady and NSW fell nearly 1 per cent to an overall range of $43.83-$59.72/MWh. System-wide maximum demand was up 186MW (0.7 per cent) to 26,156MW, with rises in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

TRUenergy lists four policy ideas for NSW: access to retail load, its number-one policy-wish

Sam Bristow, Director, Business Development, TRUenergy said as a current investor in NSW generation through the TRUenergy 400MW low emissions Tallawarra project, TRUenergy was acutely aware of the difficulties and risks associated with private sector generation investments.

Fed Govt calls for Aus ports to be managed by single body controlled by Commonwealth, as Qld miners lose jobs because of bottlenecks

More than 150 workers at a Queensland mine were handed redundancy notices in August, with half the job losses being blamed on an inability to ship coal because of infrastructure bottlenecks, wrote Tony Koch in The Australian (20/8/2007, p.1).

Stocktake tender with February 2008 deadline suggests NSW Treasury plans sale of Macquarie Generation Bayswater and Liddell Power Stations

It appeared Macquarie Generation was preparing for a sale, in a Request for proposals 85/2007 for a fixed asset and inventory stocktake. Macquarie Generation, the state owned corporation, is New South Wales’ largest electricity generator and the owner of Bayswater and Liddell Power Stations, located in the Hunter Valley.

Stocktake tender with February 2008 deadline suggests NSW Treasury plans sale of Macquarie Generation Bayswater and Liddell Power Stations

It appeared Macquarie Generation was preparing for a sale, in a Request for proposals 85/2007 for a fixed asset and inventory stocktake. Macquarie Generation, the state owned corporation, is New South Wales’ largest electricity generator and the owner of Bayswater and Liddell Power Stations, located in the Hunter Valley.

Market report for week to Saturday, 29 September: Spikes push Qld average price up 9pc, with NSW, Vic SA and Qld down 5-9pc to $40.61-$54.90/MWh range on weaker demand

Spikes on three days with top prices between $153.12/MWh and $1710.58/MWh pushed up Queensland’s average price by 9 per cent while the spike-free regions of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania fell 5-9 per cent to an overall range of $40.61-$54.90/MWh.

NEM Market forecast for Tuesday, 2 October:Average prices continue converging as they rise 6pc in SA, steady in NSW, fall 2-7pc in Vic, Qld and Tas to $33.02-$36.18/MWh range on demand surge

Market forecast for Tuesday, 2 October: Average prices are expected to continue converging to within $3.16 of each other ($4.20 on Monday) with rises of 6 per cent in South Australia, steady in NSW and falls of 2-7 per cent in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania to an overall range of $33.02-$36.18/MWh.

2007 NEM September quarter av pool down $9.86-$68.04/MWh (14-55pc) on inflated June quarter results

Average prices fell between $9.86-$68.04 (14 to 55 per cent) in the September quarter on the June quarter to a range of $53.35-$62.53/MWh, an analysis of price and demand statistics shows.