Aotearoa Energy Exchange — User Guide
Welcome to the AEX platform user guide. AEX is a real-time electricity CFD (Contract for Difference) trading platform for the New Zealand energy market.
Who is this guide for?
Traders
Learn how to navigate the trading interface, place orders, and monitor market data in real time.
Market Makers
Set up and use the Excel Add-in workstation for spread management and quoting.
Platform overview
AEX trades electricity CFDs across two Grid Exit Points (GXPs) in New Zealand:
- OTA — Otahuhu (North Island)
- BEN — Benmore (South Island)
Each GXP offers contracts across five load profiles:
| Profile | Description |
|---|---|
| BASE | All trading periods (24 hours) |
| PEAK | Peak hours |
| ON | On-peak periods |
| EP | Evening peak |
| MP | Morning peak |
This gives 10 tradeable products (2 GXPs × 5 profiles), each with monthly and quarterly contract expiries.
New to electricity trading?
Check the Glossary for definitions of key terms like CFD, GXP, and settlement.