The ASX sought help from the Reserve Bank of Australia to revive trading on its electricity market after liquidity dived as soaring gas and electricity prices triggered government intervention and some small retailers struggled to find a clearinghouse.

Energy retailers acquire hedges against wholesale electricity positions either through the ASX electricity futures and options or OTC (over the counter) derivatives such as contracts for difference. Market activity around this time of the year is typically beginning to ramp-up as retailers ready for next year, but activity in the market has recently been roiled by volatility.