Total share of coal in the overall generation mix has reached 75.6% as a result of the continuous rise since July 2014 when it reached a low of 72.4%.

It was also found that rooftop solar output continues to rise, by 1.5% in October. Wind generation remained virtually unchanged in October, but looks to still be a long-term growth trend.

Total generation from hydro plants continues to be well below the level of the past few years, being back to levels last seen in 2012.

Overall electricity demand in the National Electricity Market has flattened recently after recovering from the lows that were recorded in early 2015.

pitt&sherry principal consultant Philip Harrington said: “The headline result of flattening demand is very much driven by New South Wales and Victoria.

“As the biggest states, their results tend to dominate. However, demand in Queensland continues to rise. As noted in the July edition of CEDEX, this is mostly attributable to loads associated with gas transmission to new LNG facilities at Gladstone.”