Wholesale power prices rise sharply across Australia after cold snap but Queensland bucks trend

Coal-fired power stations such as Loy Yang helped contribute to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector, according to Aemo. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake for The Guardian

Wholesale power prices rose sharply across much of Australia in the June quarter after a cold snap lifted demand, according to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

The regulator’s quarterly report, released on Wednesday, also warned the southern areas of Australia “remain susceptible to demand and supply shocks” for the rest of winter.