SACOME calls for stronger recognition of South Australia's needs in AEMO's Integrated System Plan
Media Release Date: 26 June 2026
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) has responded to the release of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) latest Integrated System Plan (ISP), raising concerns that key issues highlighted by industry during consultation have not been sufficiently addressed.
SACOME acknowledges the significant work undertaken by AEMO, and stakeholders, in developing the ISP, noting its critical role in guiding long-term energy infrastructure planning and investment across the National Electricity Market (NEM). However, SACOME expresses disappointment that the final document does not fully reflect the scale of South Australia’s projected industrial growth, nor the associated energy security and infrastructure requirements.
SACOME welcomed the ISP’s increased focus on industrial demand forecasting and long-term growth. However, it noted that the demand outlook underpinning the plan does not fully reflect the scale of industrial development being pursued in South Australia, including major opportunities in mining, mineral processing, advanced manufacturing, defence, data centres and other energy-intensive industries. This underestimation risks insufficient investment in generation, transmission and supporting infrastructure needed to meet future demand.
While SACOME also welcomed the ISP’s recognition of the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting economic growth and decarbonisation, it raised concerns regarding the timing of the Northern Transmission Project. With significant industrial expansion forecast for the state, SACOME emphasised that transmission must be delivered ahead of demand, not in response to it. Delays to critical projects risk constraining investment, limiting economic development opportunities and increasing energy costs for both consumers and industry.
On gas supply, SACOME reiterated its longstanding position that reliable and affordable energy will depend on new domestic gas production, supported by appropriate regulatory and policy settings. Although the ISP acknowledges the ongoing role of gas in maintaining system reliability through the energy transition, SACOME noted that it provides limited clarity on how future supply to support South Australia’s future industrial growth will be secured.
Continued reliance on LNG import terminals and short-term balancing mechanisms, without a clear pathway for new domestic supply, leaves significant energy security risks unresolved.
SACOME also highlighted concerns regarding the ISP’s continued reliance on interstate transmission and generation projects to meet South Australia’s future energy needs. While interstate connectivity remains important for reliability and market efficiency, this approach exposes South Australian consumers and industry to risks beyond the state’s control, including project delays, policy uncertainty and potential under-delivery of generation capacity. South Australia's future competitiveness depends on ensuring sufficient generation, firming capacity and supporting infrastructure are available within the state to support industrial growth and maintain energy reliability.
“The Integrated System Plan plays a critical role in shaping energy infrastructure investment across the National Electricity Market,” SACOME CEO Catherine Mooney said. “It is essential that planning assumptions accurately reflect future demand, infrastructure requirements and energy security risks.”
SACOME remains concerned that the ISP does not adequately capture the scale of South Australia’s industrial growth pipeline or the infrastructure needed to support it. The organisation will continue to advocate for future planning frameworks that better align with these realities and ensure South Australia can fully realise its economic and energy transition opportunities.
The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) has responded to the release of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) latest Integrated System Plan (ISP), raising concerns that key issues highlighted by industry during consultation have not been sufficiently addressed.
SACOME acknowledges the significant work undertaken by AEMO, and stakeholders, in developing the ISP, noting its critical role in guiding long-term energy infrastructure planning and investment across the National Electricity Market (NEM). However, SACOME expresses disappointment that the final document does not fully reflect the scale of South Australia’s projected industrial growth, nor the associated energy security and infrastructure requirements.
SACOME welcomed the ISP’s increased focus on industrial demand forecasting and long-term growth. However, it noted that the demand outlook underpinning the plan does not fully reflect the scale of industrial development being pursued in South Australia, including major opportunities in mining, mineral processing, advanced manufacturing, defence, data centres and other energy-intensive industries. This underestimation risks insufficient investment in generation, transmission and supporting infrastructure needed to meet future demand.
While SACOME also welcomed the ISP’s recognition of the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting economic growth and decarbonisation, it raised concerns regarding the timing of the Northern Transmission Project. With significant industrial expansion forecast for the state, SACOME emphasised that transmission must be delivered ahead of demand, not in response to it. Delays to critical projects risk constraining investment, limiting economic development opportunities and increasing energy costs for both consumers and industry.
On gas supply, SACOME reiterated its longstanding position that reliable and affordable energy will depend on new domestic gas production, supported by appropriate regulatory and policy settings. Although the ISP acknowledges the ongoing role of gas in maintaining system reliability through the energy transition, SACOME noted that it provides limited clarity on how future supply to support South Australia’s future industrial growth will be secured.
Continued reliance on LNG import terminals and short-term balancing mechanisms, without a clear pathway for new domestic supply, leaves significant energy security risks unresolved.
SACOME also highlighted concerns regarding the ISP’s continued reliance on interstate transmission and generation projects to meet South Australia’s future energy needs. While interstate connectivity remains important for reliability and market efficiency, this approach exposes South Australian consumers and industry to risks beyond the state’s control, including project delays, policy uncertainty and potential under-delivery of generation capacity. South Australia's future competitiveness depends on ensuring sufficient generation, firming capacity and supporting infrastructure are available within the state to support industrial growth and maintain energy reliability.
“The Integrated System Plan plays a critical role in shaping energy infrastructure investment across the National Electricity Market,” SACOME CEO Catherine Mooney said. “It is essential that planning assumptions accurately reflect future demand, infrastructure requirements and energy security risks.”
SACOME remains concerned that the ISP does not adequately capture the scale of South Australia’s industrial growth pipeline or the infrastructure needed to support it. The organisation will continue to advocate for future planning frameworks that better align with these realities and ensure South Australia can fully realise its economic and energy transition opportunities.