Peak Electricity Demand By Region

In this data, electricity consumption is metered at grid exit point (GXP). This means that it includes distribution losses, but does not include transmission losses, and that embedded generation has been netted off.
 
The peaks shown here are half-hourly peaks (i.e. the mean demand during the half-hour with highest electricity consumption), rather than instantaneous peaks (i.e. the greatest electricity demand at any single moment). The instantaneous peaks would be significantly higher than the figures shown.
 
Consequently, the total amount of grid-connected generation needed at peak time is actually rather more than the peak demand shown here (because of transmission losses, and variation within the half-hour).
 
Be aware that some other information sources within the industry represent peaks on a different basis, which may yield a higher number.

The regions are defined here pdf [73 KB], and are consistent with the 2008 Statement of Opportunities. We will include a map here in future releases, showing the region boundaries.