Australian electricity and gas markets – October 2023 Update

In our October update, we take a look at the latest rule changes and market updates affecting participants in the Australian electricity and gas markets.

What you need to do:

• Stakeholders should note the market updates below, and note any impacts on their compliance obligations.

National Electricity Rules

On 5 October 2023, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published that a draft determination for theEnhancing Reserve Information rule change(formerly Operating Reserves) will be delivered by 14 December 2023. The extension allows more time to consult with stakeholders in response to issues raised in submissions to the directions paper.

On 12 October 2023, the AEMC published that:

• work is being conducted onreform to unlock the full potential of consumer resources(CER) including rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles. The AEMC has extended the period of time for making the draft report, which is now expected to be published by 29 February 2024; and
• the Reliability Panel will apply anemissions reduction objectivein its day-to-day duties including development of standards, guidelines, reports and recommendations for the energy market, with the release of a guide for decision-making today. Publication of theguidefollows the passing and gazettal of the Emissions Reduction Objectives Bill 2023 in the South Australian parliament on 14 June to cement the emissions reduction component in the National Electricity Objective.

On 23 October 2032, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published aDirections Paper在社会对输电专业执照jects. The paper sets out the current approach to social licence issues and covers how transmission networks may appropriately address social licence under the regulatory framework.

On 26 October 2023, the AEMC applied thenew emissions reduction amendments在国家能源的法律规则,s a way of providing clarity and investment certainty to enable the transition to net zero. Thedraft rulesare set out in a draft determination for stakeholder consultation, following rule change requests from energy ministers to ‘harmonise’ or align the electricity and gas rules with recent changes to the law, so that energy market bodies and networks can explicitly consider emissions reduction in their decision making.

National Energy Retail Rules

On 5 October 2023, the AER released theissues paperfor the default market offer (DMO) for 2024-2025. The DMO is a maximum price that retailers can charge electricity customers on standing offer contracts.

National Gas Rules

No gas rule change requests were initiated in October. No AEMC determinations relevant to the National Gas Rules were published.

Other Updates

Please clickhereto see our latest Energy Alerts, as part of our Energy Alert series.

Authors:Andre Dauwalder, Counsel; Nikita Summers, Graduate.