On 11 April 2023, the Reliability Panel (Panel) received a request from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to revoke the South Australian destructive winds protected event and instead for this to be managed by the contingency reclassification  framework. 

The Panel will formally initiate its consideration of the request on 22 June 2023  and intends to follow the expedited rules consultation procedure in assessing this request, since its preliminary view is that AEMO’s request is a ‘Non-material Proposal’ under NER cl. 8.9.1(a)  because it is unlikely to have a significant effect on the NEM or the activities of registered participants. 

As noted in its request, AEMO considers that there will be no negative consequences due to the removal of the protected event. AEMO has determined that they can better manage the event under the revised contingency re-classification framework implemented through the Enhancing operational resilience in relation to indistinct events rule 2022. Further information on the procedure for re-classification of contingency events is available in AEMO’s Power system security guidelines_SO_OP_3715.

The Panel intends to publish a draft determination with respect to this request on 22 June 2023 and seek stakeholder submissions on the proposal to revoke the existing protected event. 

In accordance with NER cl. 8.9.3(b), if any person considers that the request is not a Non-material Proposal, then they may request that the standard consultation procedure be applied. Any such request should be made in writing within 10 business days of the publication of the draft determination and contain reasons why the person considers that the Proposal is not a Non-material Proposal.

For further information, contact the project leader, Ben Hiron, at ben.hiron@aemc.gov.au or (02) 8296 7855.