The National Electricity Code Administrator accused Origin of failing to comply at all times with its offer of generation capacity.

Origin's general manager Public and Government affairs, Tony Wood, said the company regretted breaching the Code and has taken steps to ensure it will not happen again.

"This was a genuine error in administrating in the procedures of the company and the Code, and occurred on a day when there were other significant issues in the South Australian energy markets," Wood said.

Two other power companies, NRG Flinders and International Power, were also charged by the NECA for breaching the Code. International Power was fined the maximum penalty of $10,000 while the charges against NRG Flinders will be heard by the National Electricity Tribunal at a later date.