AEMO On Air

AEMO has released our 2026 Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) – an annual outlook examining gas demand and supply across Australia’s east coast over the next 20-plus years.
In this episode of AEMO On Air, we chat with Alice McLaren, AEMO’s Manager of Market Operability in System Design, to break down what the latest analysis means for industry, governments and consumers.
As Alice explains: “We’re seeing an improvement in our forecast compared to last year… but longer term, those risks remain and point to the need for new investment in supply, storage and infrastructure…. We still see gas as having a critical role to play… particularly as a backup where renewable generation is less available.”
Key takeaways:
Near-term outlook improving
The 2026 GSOO shows a more positive short-term outlook for southern states, driven by new infrastructure commitments, increased peak supply expectations, and reduced gas demand from electrification and changes in consumption.

Longer-term risks remain
From around 2030, the report identifies increasing risks of supply gaps across most weather scenarios – reinforcing the need for timely investment in new gas supply, storage and pipelines.
Declining southern production is a key driver
A major factor is the continued decline of legacy gas fields, particularly in Victoria, with significant implications for how the southern market is supplied in future.
Read the GSOO here: https://bit.ly/3PyFSYe
VGPR: https://bit.ly/4v6VEdk
GSOO explainer: https://bit.ly/4bCPZnG
Media release: https://bit.ly/4uRpO3T
Interviewer: Catie Low
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Following the release of AEMO’s Transition Plan for System Security (TPSS) in December 2025, this episode explores what it takes to keep Australia’s power system secure as the energy transition accelerates. 
In the third and final instalment in our system security series, Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal talks to Lars Narushevich, Specialist Engineer in System Security Planning at AEMO, to break down the fundamentals of system security and how the industry is working with AEMO to keep the power system secure.
NIj and Lars discuss what system security means in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and why it’s a shared responsibility, how AEMO sets system security requirements 3-10 years ahead through the planning process, the role of system strength and inertia in a secure power system, and how AEMO works with transmission network service providers to identify gaps and signal future needs.
Interviewer: Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal
Download the 2025 TPSS here: https://bit.ly/3XusYeC
Catch up on the previous system security episodes...
Episode 1: https://bit.ly/43tbEtT
Episode 2: https://bit.ly/4uKaXIF
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Season 3 of AEMO On Air is underway  🎙️ 
In the first episode for 2026, we speak with Kerry Galloway, AEMO’s Manager of Market Insights, about a milestone quarter for Australia’s energy transition following the launch of AEMO’s Q4 2025 Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report.
For the first time ever, renewables and storage supplied more than half of total energy needs across the east and west coast grids in Q4, with WA’s WEM reaching an extraordinary 91% renewable supply at peak. Strong renewable output contributed to lower wholesale prices — while remaining just one of several factors that shape the market.
The episode also explores the continued surge in investment, from grid-scale solar and batteries to rooftop systems on Australian homes. Battery discharge nearly tripled year-on-year in the NEM and jumped around 200% in the WEM, while rooftop solar growth is increasingly influencing daytime demand and minimum operational demand.
Combined with milder conditions than Q4 2024, the quarter highlights sustained momentum and real change in the energy mix.
🗎 Explore the full QED for more insights: https://bit.ly/3LRXQUf
Interviewer: Catie Low
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Australia’s electricity system is transforming at speed and the choices made, specifically in the coming decade, will shape costs, reliability and emissions outcomes for generations.

In this episode of AEMO On Air, we sat down with Nicola Falcon, AEMO’s Executive General Manager of System Design, to unpack the Draft 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) and the big themes shaping this story.

With electricity demand forecast to nearly double by 2050, driven by electrification of homes, industry and transport, plus rapid growth in data centres, the draft ISP lays out a clear, least-cost roadmap to replace retiring coal while keeping the lights on. 

We dig into why renewables, firmed by storage, backed up by gas and connected with networks remains the least-cost and reliable pathway, and how today’s investments in rooftop solar, batteries, large-scale renewables and networks are already lining up with that plan.

And Nicola explores what’s changed since the last ISP, including technology costs, along with deeper analysis on gas supply infrastructure and distribution network cost to support further consumer energy resource benefits.

Read the Draft 2026 ISP here: https://bit.ly/3KBBcik
Media release: https://bit.ly/4rOf7hc 
ISP Toolkit: https://bit.ly/48OgVOA
Infographic: https://bit.ly/3KXNkdC 

Interviewer: Catie Low 
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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
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