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What were the 12 Peak SWIS Trading Intervals for this capacity year

The 12 SWIS Peak SWIS Trading Intervals determined by AEMO which were used to calculate capacity charges for the capacity year beginning 1 October 2022 and ending on 30 September 2023 were:

Date Peak Trading Interval 19 January 2022 5:30pm to 6:00pm 6:00pm to 6:30pm 6:30pm to 7:00pm 21 January 2022   5:30PM to 6:00PM 6:00PM to 6:30PM 6:30PM to 7:00PM 3 February 2022   6:00PM to 6:30PM 6:30PM to 7:00PM 7:00PM to 7:30PM 16 February 2022   5:30PM to 6:00PM 6:00PM to 6:30PM 6:30PM to 7:00PM

What is a Peak Demand Day?

Peak Demand Days are those that have had the highest maximum system demand for energy on the SWIS during the hot season (1 December to 31 March).

Peak demand is based on the overall electricity demand in the SWIS, which includes both business and residential energy consumption and is therefore impacted by weekends, public holidays and school holidays and will likely be highest when both businesses and residential households are using electricity at the same time. Demand for electricity also tends to rise when temperatures increase. For example, when we experience consecutive hot days, air conditioners are in constant use to combat accumulated heat in buildings and homes.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) identifies the four highest system demand days (Peak Demand Days) during the hot season and identifies the three trading intervals (half hourly consumption times) with the highest system demand during those four days. These are known as the ‘12 Peak Trading Intervals’ (12PTIs).

How am I charged for capacity?

In order to ensure there is sufficient generation capacity in the SWIS, the Reserve Capacity Mechanism (RCM) was introduced. To fund capacity procured through the RCM, each customer being supplied on the SWIS is assigned an obligation based on their contributions to the system peak which are billed as capacity charges.

Capacity charges can be a significant part of a customer’s electricity bill. Capacity charges are payable for each capacity year (1 October to 30 September).

How can I take control of my capacity charges?

To lower your capacity charges for the following capacity year, you can look to reduce your electricity consumption between 4pm and 8pm particularly on the days that are identified as being a 'High' chance of being a Peak Demand Day in Peak Demand Day Communications.

How do Peak Demand Days affect me?

In order to ensure there is sufficient generation capacity in the SWIS, the Reserve Capacity Mechanism (RCM) was introduced. To fund capacity procured through the RCM, each customer being supplied on the SWIS is assigned an obligation based on their contributions to the system peak which are billed as capacity charges.

Capacity charges can be a significant part of a customer’s electricity bill. Capacity charges are payable for each capacity year (1 October to 30 September).

How do the Peak Demand Day Communications work?

If you choose to sign up for Synergy's Peak Demand Notification Subscription Service, Synergy will send your Nominated Contacts Peak Demand Day Communications with a seven day forecast denoting whether Synergy considers there is a High, Medium or Low chance of it being a Peak Demand Day.

Peak Demand Day Communications are indicative predictions only and may not correspond to the 12 Peak Trading Intervals. For example, you may be sent Peak Demand Day Communications that indicate a High chance of it being a Peak Demand Day on days that do not end up being Peak Demand Days used to determine the 12 Peak Trading Intervals. Alternatively, the 12 Peak Trading Intervals could fall on days that are forecast by Synergy to have a Medium or Low chance of being a Peak Demand Day.

When you are reviewing the communication your focus should be on the current days forecast which will be based on the latest data available to Synergy on that day.

While the forecast for the week ahead in Peak Demand Day Communications may not be as accurate as the current day it is still a good indicator of what could happen in the coming week so that you have an opportunity to plan ahead. If you decide it is suitable for your business to reduce your electricity consumption, it may be helpful to consider developing a demand reduction plan to implement on those days.

When should I reduce my consumption?

Daily system demand is generally at its highest from 4pm to 8pm and the Peak Demand Days predominately occur on work days (Monday to Friday) but can also occur on Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and Public Holidays (in Western Australia).