This week the AEMC confirmed that the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism, or WDRM, will keep running, and it will look at letting more types of sites take part in 2026. The rule change is a clear indication that regulators want more businesses to join the energy market from the demand side, not just the supply side.

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What is WDRM?

Think of WDRM as the market paying you to use less for short periods when the grid is tight. You agree on a normal usage pattern, called a baseline. When the market calls an event, you reduce below that normal level. The difference is your delivered response and you get paid for it. You are not following instructions every five minutes. You only act when there is an event, and the event is measured against your agreed baseline.

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This is different from newer “dispatch every interval” models, which suit sites that want to be fully integrated with market signals all day. WDRM is the simple lane that works well for predictable loads, like a production line that can pause one kiln or one compressor for a short window, or a data hall that can lift temperature set points a little without affecting service.

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Why this matters

Keeping WDRM means there is still a low-friction way to earn market revenue without changing your whole operation. It also shows ongoing support from regulators for demand-side participation. That support matters because every megawatt that can flex on the demand side reduces pressure on prices, helps during tight conditions, and keeps the transition moving.

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The AEMC will also explore opening WDRM to sites with more than one connection point. That is good news for campuses, multi-building facilities and larger industrial estates. It means more real-world sites can fit the rules without needing complex workarounds.

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Is WDRM a fit for your site?

Ask three simple questions.

1. Is your load pattern fairly predictable on normal days?
2. Can you reduce a defined chunk of load for short periods, usually with some notice?
3. Can you prove the reduction with clean metering or data from your controls?

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If you can say yes to those, WDRM is likely a good first step. If your site is very changeable because of on-site solar and batteries, or because production swings a lot, you can still participate in the market, but you may be better off planning for the fuller “dispatch every interval” model in time.

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What getting started looks like

PowerSync Technologies works with organisations to enable easy access to the WDRM. We will look at the following key areas:

• Find your window. Look at the last few months of interval data and pick the easiest hours to curtail. Protect critical processes so operations are never at risk.
• Choose a baseline and clean metering. Keep it simple. Make sure the controllable load is clear in your data so performance is easy to verify.
• Automate the response. You can start manually, but a simple integrated signal from our platform to your EMS or SCADA makes delivery consistent and audit-ready.
• Review and grow. After a few events, check what worked, tighten the playbook. At the same time, we consider adding other value streams like wholesale arbitrage or FCAS when you are ready.

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WDRM is staying. It is the simplest doorway into market participation for many businesses, and the door may soon be even wider. If your load is predictable and you can turn down safely for short periods, you can earn new revenue with little disruption and help the grid at the same time.

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Speak with PowerSync Technologies today to check baseline fit, pick a curtailment window, and turn on WDRM into lower energy spend.

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