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: 2026-06-21
The indicative national average annual electricity bill for Australian households is currently $1,424 AUD, based on a 7-state average for 2026. Households in South Australia face the highest average costs at $1,580 AUD per year, while the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has the lowest at $1,310 AUD per year. Underlying annual tariffs experienced an increase of approximately 3.8% at the July 2025 regulatory reset.
The National Electricity Market (NEM) continued to meet reliability standards in the 2024-25 financial year, despite the increasing complexity of the energy transition. While AEMO's 2025 Electricity Statement of Opportunities report forecasts a reliability gap in South Australia for 2026-27 (390 MW) with the advised retirement of Torrens Island B Power Station, an in-principle agreement to potentially extend its operation could mitigate this. Timely investment in new generation, battery storage, and transmission projects like EnergyConnect is crucial to maintain system security as coal plants, such as NSW's Eraring Power Station (now closing April 2029), gradually retire.
Australia's renewable energy share in the National Electricity Market (NEM) reached a record 46.5% in 2026, marking a significant increase from 15% in 2015. In the final quarter of 2025, renewable energy sources supplied over 50% of total electricity demand across the NEM for the first time. Solar power alone contributed 30% of all electricity in the main grid over a recent seven-day period in January 2026, meeting 59% of demand between 9 am and 6 pm.
Discover Australia's best Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs in 2026. This guide compares AGL, Origin, Amber and more to help you maximise returns from your home battery.
Read guide → GuideNavigate Australia's solar market in 2026 with confidence. This guide helps you identify reputable installers, avoid scams, understand costs, and secure quality solar panels and batteries.
Read guide → GuideUnlock significant energy savings with bidirectional EV charging (V2G, V2H, V2L) in Australia in 2026. This guide covers current costs, benefits, compatible EV models, and available chargers.
Read guide →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.
Project EnergyConnect, a AUD$3.3 billion interconnector, is accelerating with key sections in NSW and SA set for energisation by early 2027, promising enhanced grid stability and renewable energy integration.
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.
South Australia commits AUD$2.2 billion to new battery storage projects under its FERM scheme, set to boost grid capacity to 2.5 GW and enhance reliability by 2029.
South Australia commits $2.2 billion to new battery storage. Contracts for 1,334 MW / 5,336 MWh will double grid capacity by 2028, boosting reliability for SA 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.
Australia's energy grid is set for a major upgrade with nearly AUD$950 million invested in two massive solar and battery hybrid projects, adding 720MW solar and 2.4GWh storage capacity.
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.
South Australia faces unprecedented electricity demand growth as mining, data centres and green industries flock to the state's renewable energy advantage
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.