Rule Change: Completed
Overview
On 4 December 2025 the Commission published a final determination and rule to clarify the application of the integrated resource provider (IRP) and Customer participant registration categories to standalone synchronous condensers.
This rule change supports investment in standalone synchronous condensers as system security service providers by clarifying the participant registration pathways available for these plant.
The Commission has clarified the application of the IRP and Customer registration categories by adding a note to clause 2.3.4(b) of the NER, which relates to market connection point classification, to make explicit mention of its application to synchronous condensers.
Background
On 20 August 2024, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) received a rule change request from CS Energy. The request aimed to clarify the registration arrangements for non-generating units, specifically, standalone synchronous condensers, which provide system security services.
CS Energy considered that no suitable participant registration category is currently available in the National Electricity Rules (NER) for standalone synchronous condensers, which may preclude them from providing system security services under the NER's system strength and inertia frameworks.
CS Energy proposed adding a new registration category covering non-generating systems providing system security services to NER Chapter 2 to address this issue.