Directions to NSW and VIC Generators - 28 August 2025 and 5 and 15 October 2025

On 28 August 2025, 5 October 2025, and 15 October 2025, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) issued directions to New South Wales and Victorian Market Participants to maintain the system within secure operating limits.

On 28 August 2025, an unplanned outage of Eraring unit 4 (ER04) resulted in only 7 synchronous units being online in New South Wales. Mount Piper (MP01) was scheduled to synchronise in time to fill the system security gap. However, ER04 informed AEMO they would be offline earlier than originally advised, while MP01 also advised of a delayed start, which required AEMO to issue a direction to TUMUT3-1 for the provision of system strength.

On 5 October 2025, AEMO identified that the synchronous generating units expected to be synchronised from 0730 hrs would be inadequate to maintain sufficient system strength in New South Wales. This required AEMO to issue a direction to MURRAY2-2 for the provision of system strength.

On 15 October 2025, the unplanned outage of Loy Yang A4 resulted in only 6 Latrobe Valley units online for system strength in Victoria, which required AEMO to issue a direction for the provision of system strength. Jeeralang units JLA01, JLA02 and JLB01 were initially directed, however updated operating advice allowed for directions to MURRAY2-2 & MURRARY 2-3 to fill the requirements. The directions to Jeeralang were subsequently cancelled before effective.

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: