Stabilising the transition: Inside the 2025 Transition Plan for System Security
AEMO On Air
This week we released the 2025 Transition Plan for System Security (TPSS) and in our latest episode of AEMO On Air, Chris Davies, AEMO’s Group Manager – Future Energy Systems, unpacks what it means for Australia’s energy future.
As coal power stations continue to exit the power system, replacement system security services are needed to unlock the growing potential of renewable energy, including rooftop solar, to help deliver a smooth transition for consumers.
Chris also reflects on the renewable success story that is South Australia, and what its experience means for the rest of the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Read the full TPSS here: https://bit.ly/3XusYeC
Media Release: https://bit.ly/4rt4xMj
Interviewer: Jonathon Geddes
Why the world envies Australia’s transition plan: A deep dive into what is the ISP
AEMO On Air
Australia’s energy transition is accelerating and the next Integrated System Plan (ISP) will be central to guiding it.
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we speak with Nicola Falcon, Executive General Manager – System Design, about how the ISP is developed, why it matters, and why it’s increasingly the envy of countries without a comparable long-term plan to navigate their transition.
Nicola explains how the ISP provides a national roadmap for generation, storage and network investment through to 2050, built on more than a year of consultation with over 1,400 stakeholders and 240 submissions. She outlines what’s new in the Draft 2026 ISP, including expanded scope into distribution network opportunities and better integration with gas markets and how feedback has refined assumptions on consumer energy resources and infrastructure timing.
The Draft 2026 ISP will be released on Wednesday, 10 December 2025.
Interviewer: Catie Low
Pedalling through change: System Security in a solar-driven grid
AEMO On Air
One in three Australian homes now have rooftop solar, that’s more than 4 million systems nationwide providing, on some days, over half of the east coast’s electricity.
Australia is leading the world in distributed energy, with home batteries and electric vehicles rapidly changing how our power system operates. But as solar becomes a dominant force in the grid, maintaining stability and security presents new challenges.
In episode two of AEMO On Air’s System Security series, Nij sits down with Jonathon Dore, AEMO’s Manager – DER Technical Integration, to explore how AEMO is working with industry and transition partners to maintain system security through the renewable transition and the critical challenges of managing high Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Consumer Energy Resources (CER) penetration
Jonathon explained system security using a simple analogy of something he loves: Maintaining system security is like riding a mountain bike on a trail. On the smooth sections, keeping the bike stable is almost effortless, but on the challenging sections, you need different skills and a different approach.
Catch up on episode one in this series here: https://bit.ly/43tbEtT
Interviewer: Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal
Inside the numbers: how renewables drove down power prices in Q3 2025
AEMO On Air
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we unpack the key findings from AEMO’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report for Q3 2025 – a quarter defined by record renewable generation, greater market stability, and falling wholesale electricity prices across the NEM.
AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway, joins us to break down the data behind the trends, from new renewable records to what it all means for Australia’s evolving energy landscape.
Renewables reached new highs, with record-breaking contributions across the NEM and WEM:
- 77.2% peak renewable contribution in the NEM
- Rooftop solar up 11%
- Wind and grid-scale solar up 16% year-on-year
- Renewables supplying 36.4% of WA’s power – another Q3 record
Read the QED here: https://bit.ly/47kVBAQ
Interviewer: Catie Low
From Dublin to Down Under: control rooms, transition points and the future of power system security – a chat with Yvonne Coughlan
AEMO On Air
In this first episode of our three-part series on power system security, new AEMO on Air host Nij is joined by Yvonne Coughlan, one of our Group Managers in Operations.
Yvonne shares her journey from working across European power systems, including her time at Ireland’s system and market operator, EirGrid, to her work at AEMO.
She reflects on the parallels and differences in global energy transitions in a conversation that explores transition point planning, what life is like inside a control room, and how AEMO is preparing for the accelerating energy transition.
Interviewer: Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal
Reliability outlook improves: the ESOO’s 10-year investment snapshot
AEMO On Air
AEMO's annual Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) harnesses the latest data from the energy sector to deliver a 10-year look ahead at the investments needed to support reliability in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
In this episode of AEMO On Air, Ben Jones, our Manager of Reliability Forecasting, explains how the delivery of all projects in the investment pipeline – generation, storage, transmission and the enablement of consumer energy resources – are needed to meet reliability standards for the coming decade, as outlined in the 2025 ESOO.
Learn more about the 2025 ESOO here: http://bit.ly/4m41FBS
Interviewer: Catie Low
Building the 2026 ISP: developing a very different Integrated System Plan in 2026
AEMO On Air
In July we hit the half-way mark in the development of the 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) with the publication of a number of key reports, including the Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report (IASR) and the new Gas Infrastructure Options Report (GIOR).
The ISP is the strategic roadmap for Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) and it outlines the investment and infrastructure required to meet government emissions and renewable energy targets and keep the lights on and the gas flowing.
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we talk to AEMO's outgoing EGM System Design, Merryn York (AM) about the development of the ISP and how the 2026 ISP will be different to the 2024 edition, including new gas considerations as well as consumer energy resources.
Merryn shares her rich experience and deep understanding of key issues, such as the role of government policy in the ISP as well as how consumers and new technologies are factored and modeled in this important report.
Read more about the 2026 ISP here: http://bit.ly/3VpxKc5
Interviewer: Catie Low
Inside Q2 2025’s QED: renewables soar, batteries charge up and emissions fall
AEMO On Air
AEMO’s latest Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report shows renewable energy reached new highs in Q2 2025 across both the National Electricity Market (NEM) and Western Australia’s Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM).
In this episode of AEMO On Air, AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway, unpacks the data behind a 38% renewable share in the NEM, record contributions in the WEM, and a major lift in battery output across both systems.
Kerry also explores how outages and variable conditions in June affected prices and increased reliance on gas-fired generation, and how emissions continued to fall despite rising demand.
Plus, what’s ahead for Australia’s energy future, with more than 53 GW of projects still progressing through the connection pipeline?
Read the QED here: http://bit.ly/45b7wyx
Interviewer: Catie Low
From solar cell physics to energy security: meet your new host Dr Nij Lal
AEMO On Air
In this week’s episode of AEMO On Air, we welcome our new host, Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal – a Principal in the Future Energy Systems Group in AEMO System Design.
A passionate science communicator and energy expert, Nij is also a Visiting Fellow at ANU and a familiar voice to many Australian families through the ABC’s children’s science podcast ‘Imagine This’, as well as through his work on ‘Play School’, and ‘Catalyst’ programs.
In this episode, Nij shares his journey from solar cell physics at Cambridge to system planning at AEMO, what inspired him to join AEMO, and how his team contributes to managing Australia’s energy transition. He also breaks down the vital role of system security in keeping our energy system reliable – and gives a preview of the next three episodes he’ll be hosting.
Whether you’re an industry insider or simply energy curious, this episode is the perfect place to start.
Interviewer: Catie Low
Catch-up on our Transition for System Security episode here: www.buzzsprout.com/2319637/episodes/16666835
Listen to Nij on ABC’s ‘Imagine This’ podcast here: www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/imagine-this
Locational insights for a future NEM: inside the 2025 ELI report
AEMO On Air
In this week’s episode of AEMO On Air, we sit down with Edwina Knevett, Engineer – System Design, to explore AEMO’s second Enhanced Locational Information (ELI) report.
The report offers a lens to help future investment decisions across the National Electricity Market (NEM), providing critical locational insights to help navigate congestion, curtailment, and network losses as we transition from coal to renewables and firming.
To support informed planning, AEMO has consulted with stakeholders and adopted feedback, including the addition of future curtailment projections for hypothetical 300-megawatt projects in each location, under both near-term (2026–2028) and medium-term (2030–2035) outlooks.
Edwina unpacks what’s inside the report, where opportunities and risks lie, and how it complements AEMO’s broader suite of planning publications.
Download the 2025 ELI report here: http://bit.ly/3GClmSr
Feedback is welcome until Friday 1 August 2025: planning@aemo.com.au
AEMO will host a webinar on Wednesday 23 July 2025 – register here: https://bit.ly/3U3vcje
News Update: http://bit.ly/4kvc6xw
Interviewer: Catie Low
Powering WA: challenges, change and the WEM ESOO
AEMO On Air
What makes Western Australia's power system so different – and what does the future hold?
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we’re joined by Katie McKenzie, Group Manager – WA System Design & Transformation, to break down the latest Wholesale Electricity Market Electricity Statement of Opportunities (WEM ESOO).
Katie unpacks the key findings from the report, dives into the unique design of WA’s standalone grid, and explores how emerging technologies are transforming the way we plan and operate power systems.
She explains why coal and gas were once considered “known quantities” and how inverter-based resources like solar, wind and batteries are changing the game – requiring more detailed modelling to ensure grid stability.
Tune in for an insightful look at the innovation, complexity and planning behind WA’s energy transition.
Read the 2025 WEM ESOO here: http://bit.ly/3G1m5fN
Interviewer: Catie Low
Record renewables and lower emissions: breaking down Q1 2025 energy trends
AEMO On Air
In our latest episode of the AEMO On Air podcast, AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway breaks down the Q1 2025 Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report – highlighting record-breaking growth in renewable generation across the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Kerry also discusses how a change in fuel mix, led by higher renewable and battery generation and Australia’s world leading take-up of rooftop solar combined with lower coal-fired power output, led to the quarters record low emissions intensity – 5.7% below for the WEM and 5.1% for the NEM compared to the same period last year.
Read the QED here: https://bit.ly/3So5FAx
Interviewer: Catie Low
Energy leaders of the future: a spotlight on the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship
AEMO On Air
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we spotlight two emerging leaders helping shape Australia’s energy future.
Join us as we sit down with Merry Hoang and Jaleel Mesbah, recipients of the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship – a world-class PhD program in partnership with Monash University.
This scholarship was created to honour AEMO’s founding CEO, Matt Zema, and is dedicated to supporting the next generation of energy leaders as they tackle the complex challenges facing Australia's energy sector.
Tune in to hear about how Merry and Jaleel’s PhD studies are driving innovation, advancing research, and building a more sustainable energy future.
Learn more about the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship: www.aemo.com.au/about/zema-energy-studies-scholarship
Information about applications to the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship: www.monash.edu/energy-institute/students/scholarships/zema-energy-studies-scholarship
Interviewer: Catie Low
Growing the grid: connecting generation and storage
AEMO On Air
AEMO's Onboarding and Connections team plays a vital role in Australia's energy transition, connecting new generation and storage into our grid.
In this latest episode of AEMO On Air, we talk to Group Manager Onboarding and Connections, Margarida Pimentel about her team, the Connections Scorecard report and the importance of working closely with industry to bring new energy projects to life.
The latest Connections Scorecard shows that ~50 GW of new projects – equivalent to 70% of today's generation capacity in the NEM – are working through the connection process: bit.ly/3CGzEQ7
Interviewer: Catie Low
Securing our energy grid: AEMOs strategy for power system security
AEMO On Air
Last year, AEMO released its first Transition Plan for System Security, mapping out how we will contribute to maintaining power system security as the National Electricity Market (NEM) and WA’s Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) move toward a world without coal fired power stations.
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we chat with Chris Mock, Manager of Engineering Strategy – System Design, about the role of the plan and its outlined considerations for maintaining system security across three-time horizons – ensuring the transition is smooth, secure, and sustainable for all Australians.
Read the Transition Plan for System Security here: https://bit.ly/4kak4Nj
View the Transition Plan for System Security Infographic here: https://bit.ly/4bhTUo4
Media release: https://bit.ly/41q1KbM
Interviewer: Catie Low
QED Q4 insights: warmer weather and electrification causes record underlying demand
AEMO On Air
In the last quarter of 2024 the National Electricity Market hit new demand records, while the contribution of coal fired generation dipped below 50% for the first time.
In this episode we dive into the insights from the Q4 Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report with AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway.
Kerry breaks down the key takeaways from the report, including the surge in renewable energy contributions, highlighting the transformation of Australia’s energy system. She discusses how east coast wholesale gas prices rose to $13.60/GJ, driven by record Queensland LNG exports and increased gas-fired electricity generation. While increased battery storage in Western Australia helped the state hit a new quarterly average renewable contribution record of 46% and a renewable peak of 85%.
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
Read the QED here: https://bit.ly/3NJp2Sk
From university to the energy transition: inside AEMO's Graduate Development Program
AEMO On Air
In our first AEMO On Air podcast for 2025, we dive into the AEMO Graduate Development Program — a game-changer for anyone looking to kickstart their career in the energy sector.
We chat with Maddison Demmler, AEMO Graduate Program Manager about the importance of graduate programs in today’s world and the role graduates can play in Australia's energy transition.
Plus, we hear from Zahra and Sasindu as they share their hands-on experiences and insights into life as a graduate.
To find out more about AEMO’s Graduate Development Program, or to apply, click here: https://bit.ly/40A1RQp
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
The critical role of natural gas in WA's energy mix
AEMO On Air
As WA transitions to net zero, natural gas continues to play a critical role in providing energy to homes and businesses.
In this week’s episode of AEMO On Air, we chat with AEMO’s Nicola Falcon, Interim Executive General Manager of WA, about the latest WA Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) which reveals a strengthened near-term outlook compared to last year’s GSOO, with WA’s domestic gas supply expected to exceed consumption through to 2027.
Read the WA GSOO here: https://bit.ly/4fr2HnQ
View the WA GSOO overview here: https://bit.ly/402NeGp
Media release: https://bit.ly/3OYHB5J
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
More common than a backyard pool: the rise of rooftop solar in Australia’s energy transition
AEMO On Air
Did you know there are more rooftop solar systems in Australia, than there are swimming pools in backyards?
Aussies have embraced rooftop solar like nowhere else on the planet, making households the largest generators of energy on the grid, but we have a long way to go to reach our enormous potential and so much to gain by doing so.
In this episode we chat to Violette Mouchaileh, AEMO's Executive General Manager of Reform Deliver, about how rooftop solar is assisting with Australia’s energy transition.
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
QED Q3 insights: weather's impact, price fluctuations and new capacity growth
AEMO On Air
In this episode we dive into the insights from the Q3 Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report with AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway.
Kerry breaks down the key takeaways from the report, including the impact of weather on energy supply and demand, why the cooler July and warmer August/September caused fluctuations in wholesale energy prices, and a big win – at the end of Q3 2024, 45.6 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity were progressing through the connection process from application to commissioning.
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
Read the QED here: https://bit.ly/3NJp2Sk
Operating the power system of the future: Daniel Westerman's speech at the AFR's 2024 Energy and Climate Summit
AEMO On Air
AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman spoke at the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 Energy and Climate Summit.
In this special episode of AEMO On Air, we take a listen to Daniel’s speech, where he gives us a glimpse into what operating the energy system of the future could look like.
In the speech Daniel discusses the challenges of operating Australia's electricity grids in the not-too-distant future, when they no longer have coal in the energy mix. He addresses peak renewable contributions, including the National Electricity Market's record peak of 74% that was set this Spring. And he talks about the challenges that come with keeping our grids secure and stable, during periods when rooftop solar's contribution is high, and there is very low demand for power from the transmission network.
To read Daniel’s full speech, visit: https://bit.ly/3BPaYE1
Host: Paul Zennaro
Audio thanks to the Australian Financial Review.
Forecasting reliability: the critical insights from AEMO's 2024 ESOO
AEMO On Air
AEMO’s 2024 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report provides a 10-year outlook of investment requirements to maintain reliability for Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
In this episode, we hear from Andrew Turley, GM – Forecasting, System Design, on the importance of this outlook and why it is critical that expected investments in generation, storage and transmission are delivered on time and in full.
Access the full ESOO report here: https://bit.ly/473fs5u
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
It's a RAP: AEMO launches first Reconciliation Action Plan
AEMO On Air
In early July, to coincide with NAIDOC Week, AEMO launched our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking a significant step forward in our commitment to reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion.
In this episode, Paul chats with AEMO’s Kate Pollock, Senior Consultant – Organisational Development and Jodana Anglesey, Stakeholder Relations & Communications Lead at AEMO Services, about the importance of our RAP in Australia’s energy transition and how this document will help AEMO partner with First Nations communities as we move to a net-zero Australia.
To view our RAP document and images of Lani Balzan’s artwork, visit: www.aemo.com.au/about/reconciliation-action-plan
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
Wind, rain and gas: how weather impacted Q2's QED
AEMO On Air
In this week’s episode of AEMO On Air, we break down our recently released Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report with AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, Kerry Galloway.
Tune in as we discuss how the June quarter's low wind speeds and reduced rainfall in south-eastern Australia saw decreases in electricity supplied from wind and hydro, why flexible gas-powered generation is the ultimate backstop for periods of reduced renewable generation and how Western Australia set a new 2nd quarter record for renewables in the grid.
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
A roadmap for the energy transition: insights from the ISP
AEMO On Air
Recently AEMO released our 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP), a 25-year road map to transition the National Electricity Market (NEM) to net zero.
Hear from Daniel Westerman, AEMO Chief Executive Officer, in today's episode of AEMO On Air, as he breaks down the ISP and confirms that Australia’s energy transition is well underway, with renewable energy accounting for 40% of electricity used in the past year
Interviewer: Paul Zennaro
Stabilising the transition: Inside the 2025 Transition Plan for System Security
27:28
Why the world envies Australia’s transition plan: A deep dive into what is the ISP
19:44
Pedalling through change: System Security in a solar-driven grid
30:37
Inside the numbers: how renewables drove down power prices in Q3 2025
16:59
From Dublin to Down Under: control rooms, transition points and the future of power system security – a chat with Yvonne Coughlan
24:28
Reliability outlook improves: the ESOO’s 10-year investment snapshot
20:08
Building the 2026 ISP: developing a very different Integrated System Plan in 2026
24:30
Inside Q2 2025’s QED: renewables soar, batteries charge up and emissions fall
18:08
From solar cell physics to energy security: meet your new host Dr Nij Lal
15:44
Locational insights for a future NEM: inside the 2025 ELI report
19:11
Powering WA: challenges, change and the WEM ESOO
26:21
Record renewables and lower emissions: breaking down Q1 2025 energy trends
20:28
Energy leaders of the future: a spotlight on the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship
29:21
Growing the grid: connecting generation and storage
24:20
Securing our energy grid: AEMOs strategy for power system security
22:51
QED Q4 insights: warmer weather and electrification causes record underlying demand
20:44
From university to the energy transition: inside AEMO's Graduate Development Program
24:17
The critical role of natural gas in WA's energy mix
20:56
More common than a backyard pool: the rise of rooftop solar in Australia’s energy transition
25:26
QED Q3 insights: weather's impact, price fluctuations and new capacity growth
23:28
Operating the power system of the future: Daniel Westerman's speech at the AFR's 2024 Energy and Climate Summit
19:50
Forecasting reliability: the critical insights from AEMO's 2024 ESOO
19:24
It's a RAP: AEMO launches first Reconciliation Action Plan
30:49
Wind, rain and gas: how weather impacted Q2's QED
22:05
A roadmap for the energy transition: insights from the ISP
28:33