News Topic ID

Request For Tender (RFT) AEMC 1001 Panel of Providers for Advisory Services

20 August 2010

The Council of Australian Governments, through its Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE), established the AEMC in July 2005 to be the rule maker for national energy markets. The AEMC is an independent, national body and its key responsibilities are to consider rule change proposals for the national energy markets, conduct energy market reviews and provide policy advice to the MCE as requested, or on AEMC initiative. The AEMC seeks to establish a panel of providers to provide advice and assistance in relation to:

the economic and related regulation of:

- the wholesale electricity market;

- the wholesale gas markets;

- Electricity transmission networks;

- Gas transmission networks;

- Electricity distribution;

- Gas distribution;

- the electricity retail market;

- the gas retail markets; and

the implementation of strategic communication programmes.

Organisations and/or sole traders with demonstrated expertise in one or more of these fields are invited to access the tender documentation on the AEMC website www.aemc.gov.au. All notices and addenda that may relate to the tender will also be posted on the website.

Tenders close at 2:00 pm Friday, 24 September 2010 and must be submitted in accordance with the requirements stated in the RFT.

New AEMC Chairman

02 June 2010

The Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission, Mr Steven Graham, has welcomed the organisation's new Chairman, Mr John Pierce, who starts his term of office today, 2 June 2010.

Mr Pierce comes to the AEMC from his position as Secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. Prior to that, he was Secretary of the New South Wales Treasury for 12 years and Chairman of the NSW Treasury Corporation.

‘The AEMC is looking forward to growing and deepening its contribution to the development of national energy markets under John's stewardship," Mr Graham said.

Mr Pierce succeeds the Commission's inaugural Chairman, Dr John Tamblyn, who retired this month after five years with the organisation.

For more information contact:
AEMC Chief Executive Steven Graham on 02 8296 7800
Communication Manager Prudence Anderson 02 8296 7817 or 0404 821 935

MCE announces new Commissioners

11 February 2010

AEMC Chairman Dr. John Tamblyn is very pleased to advise that today the Chairman of the Ministerial Council on Energy, Minister Martin Ferguson AM MP, announced the appointment of Mr. John Pierce as the new AEMC Chairman and Dr. Brian Spalding as the Commonwealth nominated part time Commissioner.

Mr. Pierce’s appointment will commence on 2 June 2010 for a 5 year term.

Mr. Ian Woodward has resigned from the Commission effective from 16 April 2010 and Dr. Spalding’s appointment will commence on 19 April 2010 for a 3 year term.

"John brings extensive energy market, financial market and economic policy experience to the role of AEMC Chairman, having held the positions of Secretary, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Secretary, NSW Treasury and Chairman of the NSW Treasury Corp as well as earlier energy business and operational experience at Pacific Power and the Electricity Commission of NSW," Dr Tamblyn said.

"John also has wide experience in the processes of government at state and federal levels, having worked at very senior levels of government in the development of policy and provision of policy advice to ministers, cabinets, ministerial councils and the Council of Australian Governments.

"Brian also brings wide experience in energy market design and reform and in the operation of the power system and the electricity wholesale and retail markets gained most recently in senior executive positions at NEMMCO and AEMO and earlier in his career at Pacific Power, Transgrid and the Electricity Commission of NSW. Brian was a key contributor to the design and establishment of the NEM during the 1990s. Since then, as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer at NEMMCO and Executive General Manager Operations at AEMO, he has developed deep knowledge of all aspects of the operation of the NEM power system and wholesale power exchange and the policy and legal frameworks that govern those arrangements.

"The current Commissioners Ian Woodward, Neville Henderson and myself together with the AEMC Chief Executive Mr. Steven Graham warmly welcome the appointment of John and Brian as members of the ongoing Commission.

"John, Brian and Neville have been active participants in the Australian energy reform process since the early 1990s and played key roles in the establishment of the NEM and its legal and institutional arrangements. Under John’s leadership and with the relevant and complementary experience of his fellow Commissioners, the new AEMC team of Commissioners is therefore exceptionally well equipped to provide strategic leadership and direction for the AEMC in meeting the challenge of developing Australia’s energy markets over the coming years." Dr Tamblyn said.

For information contact

AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham (02) 8296 7800
AEMC Communication Manager, Prue Anderson (02) 8296 7800 or 0404 821 935

Changes to AEMC management team

05 February 2010

AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham, today publicly announced a new structure for the AEMC's senior management team with the creation of a Senior Director position, responsible for Strategy and Economic Analysis.

"As we approach our fifth anniversary we are giving greater emphasis to our market development and policy advising roles," Mr Graham said.

"Australia's electricity and natural gas markets are entering the most challenging phase in recent history.

"The investment task to renew energy infrastructure and reduce its carbon intensity is significant, and the environment for investment is challenging and uncertain. The AEMC has a key responsibility to lead debate on how energy markets, and the regulatory frameworks that support them, address these challenges.

"We are building our capacity to address the intersection of energy markets with broader issues such as those related to energy efficiency, the environment, and financial market developments," Mr Graham said.

"We will be working closely with industry, the community and government to promote the consideration of these issues and the implications they raise for energy market frameworks and settings.

"Our new strategic and economic analysis role has been taken up by Colin Sausman who is moving from his previous role of Senior Director, Wholesale, Environment & Transmission.

"Colin Sausman joined the AEMC in March 2007 from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) in the United Kingdom. He has led a number of key AEMC projects including the recent review of current energy market frameworks in light of climate change policies. In his role with Ofgem he was involved in a wide range of regulatory reforms in the UK energy sector. These included the integration of the electricity wholesale market in England & Wales with the market in Scotland, and the design of new incentives schemes for gas and electricity transmission businesses.

"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Senior Director, Wholesale, Environment & Transmission, Christopher Spangaro.

"Chris has a background in law and public policy. He came to the AEMC from the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal where he most recently held the position of General Manager of the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme, one of the world's first mandatory emissions trading schemes. Prior to that he was Program Manager, Water Pricing with the Tribunal.

"These changes strengthen the management team, and help ensure that analysis informing our decisions and recommendations is of a consistent high quality across our expanding areas of responsibility," Mr Graham said.

"Importantly, in a forthcoming period of likely transformation for energy markets, these organisational changes also improve the AEMC's ability to demonstrate effective and strategic leadership in respect of our statutory responsibility for market development - including through closer engagement with our stakeholders on strategic issues and challenges."

For information contact

AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham (02) 8296 7800
AEMC Communication Manager, Prue Anderson (02) 8296 7800 or 0404 821 935

AEMC joins the International Confederation of Energy Regulators

14 January 2010

The Australian Energy Market Commission has accepted an invitation to join the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER), a body designed to facilitate collaboration between regulatory authorities worldwide. The ICER was established following the fourth World Forum on Energy Regulation held in Athens, Greece in 2009. The aim of ICER is to improve public and policy maker awareness and understanding of energy regulation and its role in addressing a wide spectrum of socio-economic, environmental and market issues.

"The ICER is a positive and timely development," said AEMC Chairman, John Tamblyn. "There are many common challenges for energy market design and regulation, particularly in managing the transition to lower carbon energy sectors. International engagement through the ICER will enable us to gain from the experience of others, and provide a forum to share insights drawn from the high-quality analytical work undertaken by our own energy market institutions. The practical emphasis on electronic communication and telephone conferencing will ensure that the costs of participation are kept to an acceptable level."

Further information about the framework is available on the ICER website.

Executive Search Starts for New Commissioners

28 October 2009

Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) Chief Executive, Steven Graham, today said the transition to the organisation's next Commission was underway following the publication of newspaper notices on Friday 23 October inviting applications for the next AEMC Chairperson and Commissioner (part-time).

The executive search for these positions is being conducted on behalf of the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) by Kurtis Paige Initiatives. For more information, or to obtain a candidate information pack, contact David Williams at Kurtis Paige Initiatives on 02 9764 4240 or dwilliams@kurtispaige.com.au.

Applications close on Friday 6 November, 2009.

The Commission includes one full-time Chairperson and two part-time Commissioners.

"Our inaugural Chairman, Dr John Tamblyn, was appointed for a five year term from 2 June 2005 to 1 June 2010.

"Dr Tamblyn has informed the MCE that he will not seek reappointment to the Commission at the end of his term.

"The term of the part-time Commissioner position, currently held by Ian Woodward, concludes on 19 June 2010," Mr Graham said. Commissioner Woodward, as the Commonwealth nominated member has advised the Chairman of the MCE that he is not available for re-appointment as a Commissioner.

AEMC Commissioner Neville Henderson Commences Five-Year Term

28 October 2009

Chairman of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), Dr John Tamblyn, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Neville Henderson as an AEMC Commissioner. Mr Henderson's appointment was made by the Governor of South Australia on the recommendation of participating State and Territory jurisdictions.

The Commission comprises one full-time and two part-time Commissioners. In accordance with the provisions of the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2005, two Commissioners are appointed on the recommendation of participating State and Territory jurisdictions and one is appointed on the recommendation of the Commonwealth.

In welcoming Mr Henderson's appointment to the Commission, Dr Tamblyn said "Neville brings to the AEMC a wealth of knowledge and experience on power system and energy market operations and on the development and implementation of Australia's energy market reforms during the last 15 years. He is widely known and respected among energy market participants, regulators and policy advisers and will make a valuable contribution to the work of the AEMC in his new role" .

Mr Henderson was appointed on 3 September 2009 as a part-time Commissioner and commenced in that role on 19 October 2009, replacing Mr John Ryan whose term concluded on 16 October 2009.

Mr Henderson comes from an energy and utilities background. Prior to joining the AEMC he was an Executive Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he provided advice to both public and private sectors on energy utility operation, regulation, strategic and business planning, electricity and gas industry restructuring, and on market issues.

Prior to joining PwC Mr Henderson was with the National Grid Management Council (NGMC) 1994 -1997, where he led the development of market and trading arrangements for the National Electricity Market.

He was Strategic Planning and Power Pool Manager at National Electricity Victoria (1990-1993) following a series of senior roles in strategic and system planning with National Electricity Victoria and its predecessor, the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Melbourne) and a Diploma of Mechanical Engineering (Footscray Technology College).

For more information contact Chief Executive, Steven Graham on 02 8296 7800.
AEMC Communication Prudence Anderson (02) 8296 7800 or 0404 821 935.

AEMC Website Relaunch

29 May 2009

AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham, announces the launch date for the new AEMC website – 1 June 2009. The new website gives our stakeholders complete and immediate access to AEMC Rules, advice and all our supporting documents, Steven said today. “It has been designed to provide better and more accessible information to everyone who is interested in the development of Australia’s electricity and natural gas markets and Rules.

Steven also foreshadowed another round of improvements to the presentation of the National Electricity Rules and the National Gas Rules which will take place before the end of 2009.

“The 1 June launch of the new information architecture for www.aemc.gov.au will give visitors to our site better organised, and more detailed, information on AEMC Rules, advice, and all supporting documents,” Mr Graham said.

“The rebuild is based on our conversations with stakeholders and addresses their priorities,” he said.

“The website is now searchable – making it easier to analyse our decisions and reports.

“It features a range of new services including online lodgement for Rule change proposals and submissions.

“New navigation and page layouts will help you access information quickly. Specific rule changes and market review pages will have a consistent format, making it easier to track the course of our public consultations. They will provide “snapshot” information for easy reference along with detailed project histories,” Mr Graham said.

“Each rule change proposal and market review will display a unique project code to distinguish between projects with similar titles and to ensure that your submissions are clearly related to the correct project.

“The new website will improve your access to our core functions and I hope it will help everyone who takes part in our consultations,” Mr Graham said.

For information contact
AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham (02) 8296 7800
AEMC Communication Manager, Prue Anderson (02) 8296 7800 or 0404 821 935

Acting AEMC Commissioner announced

09 September 2008

The Chairman of the Australian Energy Market Commission, Dr John Tamblyn, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr John Ryan, PSM, as an acting AEMC Commissioner. Mr Ryan’s appointment was approved by the South Australian Minister for Energy, Mr Patrick Conlon, on the recommendation of the State and Territory members of the Ministerial Council on Energy.

The Commission comprises one full-time and two part-time Commissioners. In accordance with the provisions of the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2005, two Commissioners are appointed on the recommendation of the participating State and Territory jurisdictions and one is appointed on the recommendation of the Commonwealth.

One of the part-time Commissioners, Ms Liza Carver, resigned in June 2008 after three years of service to the AEMC with effect from September 2008. Mr Ryan’s appointment is to fill that position on an acting basis while the Ministerial Council on Energy conducts a process for appointment of a replacement part-time Commissioner.

Until recently Mr Ryan was deputy secretary the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism recently established by the Rudd Government. Prior to that he was the deputy secretary in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

For the last seven years he has been a leading adviser on Australian Government policy development in the areas of energy market reform, climate change, investment in resources, energy and manufacturing and energy technology development. He was the inaugural chair of the Standing Committee of Officials for the Council of Australian Governments Ministerial Council on Energy and has overseen significant aspects of the energy reform agenda during his time in that role.

Mr Ryan was a member of the Prime Minister’s 2004 Energy White Paper Task Force which proposed reform to fuel taxes, measures to improve energy efficiency and the development of low emission technologies. He was head of the secretariat for the Prime Minister’s Review of Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy which examined impediments to and opportunities for the expansion of uranium mining, downstream processing and development of nuclear energy in Australia. Mr Ryan was the chair of the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency in 2006 and 2007.

In welcoming Mr Ryan’s appointment to the Commission, Dr Tamblyn commented that the organisation would benefit greatly from his wide policy experience and his advice and guidance on the implementation of the AEMC’s work program in the months ahead.

Mr Ryan assumed his position at the AEMC on 1 September 2008.

For more information contact
AEMC Chief Executive, Steven Graham on 02 8296 7800
AEMC Communication, Prudence Anderson (02) 8296 7800 or 0404 821 935

New Consumer Advocacy Panel Executive Director announced

31 July 2008

The Chairman of the Consumer Advocacy Panel, Mr Frank Peach, and the Australian Energy Market Commission Chief Executive, Steven Graham, today announced the appointment of Ms Kerry Connors as Executive Director of the Consumer Advocacy Panel.

The Consumer Advocacy Panel grants funds for advocacy projects on behalf of consumers in the national electricity and natural gas markets and initiates research into issues of benefit to energy consumers. The Executive Director is responsible for the management of the Panel’s functions and for the provision of strategic and operational advice to the Panel.

Ms Connors brings to the position her respected reputation as an advocate for consumers in Victoria where she served as the inaugural Executive Officer of the Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre (CUAC). She successfully established CUAC as an independent consumer advocacy organisation to represent the interests of Victorian electricity, gas and water consumers, especially those low-income, disadvantaged and rural consumers and gave them effective representation in policy and regulatory debates.

Prior to her CUAC appointment Ms Connors established a consultancy offering counsel to Australian businesses on corporate social responsibility, building on her career experience with the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which included a posting to the Australian embassy in Korea. She holds a BA (ANU) and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade (ANU).

Ms Connors will take up her new position on 1 September 2008.

On 1 July 2008 the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment (Consumer Advocacy Panel) Amendment Act 2008 commenced.
The Panel remains independent of government and regulators.
The role of Advocacy Panel Executive Director now transfers from Melbourne to Sydney.

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