Storm Season Arrives Early — What It Means for Queensland’s Energy Prices

Storm season has arrived early in Queensland, and it’s already making its presence felt across the energy market. 

In late October, severe thunderstorms in the Biloela region temporarily took two major coal units offline at Callide Power Station. 

Lightning and storm damage caused Units B2 and C4 to trip within days of each other — both were restored quickly, but not before sparking brief fluctuations in Queensland’s energy prices.

Why It Matters

Queensland’s storm season typically runs from October through March, bringing a mix of heat, humidity, and sudden weather events that can challenge generation reliability and system stability. 

When outages occur, even for short periods, they can influence spot and futures pricing as the market reacts to reduced supply and higher operational risks. 

This is why storm season is closely watched by both energy users and market participants each year — it’s a period where weather, demand, and market sentiment often move together.

What We’re Seeing

Over recent weeks, forward prices for Queensland have shown short-term firmness, particularly for 2026–2027 delivery years, as traders factor in weather-related risks.

At the same time, longer-dated contracts such as 2029 have softened, reflecting expectations that future capacity and renewable additions will support system stability.

The quick return of Callide’s units — while positive — serves as a reminder of how sensitive the market can be to even brief disruptions.

What This Means for Businesses

With storm activity increasing and summer demand approaching, many businesses are monitoring the market more closely.

Events like these highlight the importance of staying informed about generation outages, weather risks, and how these can affect energy costs over time.

At Leading Edge Energy, we continue to track market movements and provide clarity on what’s driving them — so our clients can plan with confidence, whatever the weather brings.

In Summary – How Storm Season Impacts Queensland Energy Prices

Queensland’s storm season has only just begun, but it’s already testing system resilience. 
The quick response at Callide shows strong operational capability, yet it’s a timely reminder that weather remains one of the biggest short-term factors in energy pricing as summer approaches.

At Leading Edge Energy, we help businesses stay informed and in control — even when the market is unpredictable.

If you’d like clarity on how weather events and wholesale trends may affect your energy costs this summer, our consultants are here to help.

Get in touch for a market update or an independent review of your energy strategy.