07 June 2012
On 7 June 2012, the AEMC published a draft determination on the Major Energy Users’ rule change request in relation to potential generator market power in the National Electricity Market. The draft determination proposes to make no rule in respect of the rule change request. Requests for a public hearing close on 14 June 2012. Submissions on the draft determination close on 20 July 2012.
16 May 2012
AEMC Chairman, John Pierce, has addressed the World Forum on Energy Regulation in Canada. He participated in the session on environmental impacts of the current electricity generation mix (12.30am 16 May 2012 AEST).
16 May 2012
AEMC Chairman, John Pierce, has addressed the World Forum on Energy Regulation in Canada. He participated in the session on environmental impacts of the current electricity generation mix (12.30am 16 May 2012 AEST).
Chairman of the Australian Energy Market Commission, Mr John Pierce, has described the National Electricity Market as a model for successful transformation of stationary energy sectors in response to climate change.
The world’s energy markets are at a turning point, he said.
“It’s important to carefully consider the potential of market mechanisms to deliver major government reforms – especially as political focus shifts toward addressing the effects of climate change.
“We have important choices to make between different fuel sources, different technologies, different renewable fuel options, different approaches to demand management and between complex regulatory alternatives.
“Making good decisions will depend on our ability to make the costs of energy supply as efficient as possible to ensure the best results for consumers in the long term.”
Markets are moving away from the current fuel mix to produce electricity from less carbon intensive sources, Mr Pierce said.
“In a political context where environmental concerns are increasingly paramount, policy makers might criticise the market frameworks and call for more regulation or direct intervention. Such calls are understandable but excessive interference in market functions can have serious implications for market stability.
“The recent history of Australia’s national electricity market shows how major reforms can be implemented through careful market design and management,” Mr Pierce said.
“At the same time there are sectoral and structural challenges that will require creative thinking to resolve.”
Key points
Read the J. Pierce conference paper
For information contact:
AEMC Chairman, John Pierce (02) 8296 7800
Media: Communication Manager, Prudence Anderson 0404 821 935 or (02) 8296 7817
27 April 2012
The agenda for the AEMC’s public forum with Professors Littlechild and Yarrow is now available.
The public forum will be held on Wednesday 9 May 2012 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sydney. Professors Littlechild and Yarrow have provided advice to the AEMC on the AER and EURCC network regulation rule change requests. Registration to attend the public forum is now closed.
Please note that the AEMC’s public forum is being held on the same day and at the same location as the Standing Council on Energy and Resources’ (SCER) Review of the Limited Merits Review public forum. The SCER event is not related to the AEMC’s public forum. The SCER’s Limited Merits Review Secretariat can be contacted at LMR.Secretariat@ret.gov.au.26 April 2012
On 26 April 2012, the AEMC gave notice of an extension to the period of time for the making of the draft determination on the Potential Generator Market Power in the NEM rule change request. Under section 107 of the National Electricity Law the period of time for the making of the draft determination has been extended to 7 June 2012. The extension is due to a delay in receiving information to be used in consideration of the rule change request.
24 April 2012
On Wednesday 16 May 2012 in Melbourne, we are hosting a metering workshop to discuss metering issues relevant to the Power of Choice review and the Electric Vehicles review. Please find further information on the workshop here.
If you wish to attend, please register online on our website by Friday 11 May 2012.
23 April 2012
Reminder that registration is open for the AEMC's workshop on aggregation of load and ancillary services load to be held on Friday 27 April at the Parkroyal, Melbourne Airport. The AEMC has previously committed to holding a workshop on these issues and is now considering them as part of the Power of choice review.
The scope of the issues to be discussed is outlined in the attached document.
Registrations will close on 26 April 2012.
23 April 2012
Please be reminded that registrations to attend the AEMC’s public forum with Professors Littlechild and Yarrow will close on Thursday 26 April 2012.
The public forum will be held on Wednesday 9 May 2012 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sydney with Professors Littlechild and Yarrow who have provided advice to the AEMC on the AER and EURCC network regulation rule change requests.
In the afternoon, there will be another forum at the same venue on the Review of the Limited Merits Review hosted by the Standing Council on Energy and Resources (SCER). Please refer to the SCER website for further information.
23 March 2012
The AEMC today called for community feedback on a directions paper released today by its review, Power of choice - giving consumers options in the way they use electricity.
The Power of choice review is looking to facilitate a more cost-effective power supply by increasing opportunities for demand side participation.
Demand side participation is when households and businesses are able to make choices about how they use electricity - such as shifting to off-peak use, installing more efficient appliances or using locally based generation.
AEMC Chairman, John Pierce, said the review’s directions paper identified opportunities where current arrangements could be improved to better facilitate consumers’ choices regarding how they use electricity and participate in the market.
“We are seeking comment and practical experience from the community to assist us in development of recommendations to facilitate demand side participation in the market”.
“Our overall objective is to ensure that community demand for energy services is met by the lowest cost combination of electricity supply and demand.” Consumers are increasingly interested in ways to manage their electricity bills. While there is evidence of increased uptake of demand side participation in the electricity market over recent years, more development is required before it is adopted on a significant and reliable scale,” Mr Pierce said.
Industry has estimated that around $11 billion of electricity infrastructure is used for only 100 hours a year. But it must be in place to meet demand when everyone switches on at the hottest and coldest times of year.
Peak demand has grown at almost three times the rate of average demand. Information, education, technology and incentives can all contribute to allowing customers a greater range of options in how they use electricity.
Opportunities raised by the directions paper for public comment are:
The directions paper has been informed by stakeholder views raised in meetings with the AEMC, submissions to the Power of choice issues paper, advice from the stakeholder reference group and the findings of commissioned consultants’ reports.
Submissions to the directions paper are due by 4 May 2012.
The release of the directions papers will be followed by a public forum on the 19 April 2012 and further consideration by the stakeholder reference group before the review’s draft report is released in June 2012.
AEMC Chairman, John Pierce (02) 8296 7800
Media: Communication Manager, Prudence Anderson 0404 821 935 or (02) 8296 7817
21 March 2012
The Panel is undertaking a review of the template for generator compliance programs. An issues paper was published in December 2011 to initiate the review process. Consultation on the issues paper closed in February 2012. The Panel will publish a draft report in March 2012. A public meeting will also be held in Sydney at the AEMC office on 16 May 2012. Registration details for the public meeting will be published on the website with the publication of the draft report.
The Australian National Electricity Market: Choosing a new future. Conference Paper, World Energy Forum on Energy Regulation V, 13-16 May 2012, Quebec City, Canada