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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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.

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook

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

LinkedIn | X | Facebook