What is the spot market for wholesale electricity, and how will AEMO’s decision to suspend it affect consumers?

For the first time, the AEMO has suspended the spot market for wholesale electricity across the country. (ABC News: James Carmody)

Days of power shortages across the country have prompted the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to intervene in a desperate bid to shore up the country's power supply.

For the first time ever, AEMO suspended the spot market for wholesale electricity across the entire country.