Real-time Frequency Control Ancillary Services prices across all five NEM regions, covering eight contingency and regulation services — updated every 5 minutes from AEMO.
FCAS are essential grid stability services that maintain power system frequency at 50 Hz. When supply and demand become imbalanced — due to generator trips, sudden load changes, or variable renewable output — FCAS providers respond within seconds to restore equilibrium. AEMO procures these services through competitive markets that run alongside the energy market.
The NEM operates eight FCAS markets: Raise and Lower variants of Regulation (continuous frequency correction), 6-Second Contingency (fast response), 60-Second Contingency (delayed response), and 5-Minute Contingency (sustained response). Each service has its own price, set every 5 minutes per region through the dispatch process.
FCAS prices are increasingly volatile as the generation mix shifts toward inverter-based renewables and batteries. Battery energy storage systems are now major FCAS providers in regions like South Australia, while traditional thermal generators remain important providers in coal-heavy regions. Understanding FCAS price dynamics is critical for generator bidding strategy, battery revenue stacking, and overall market analysis.
Each region page shows current prices for all eight services, 12-hour price history charts, and energy spot prices for context. See how FCAS relates to wholesale energy costs on our live electricity prices page, or explore the generation mix driving FCAS demand.