Throughout 2022 to mid-2023, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) led a review of the regulatory framework for flexible export limits as part of the Energy Security Board’s Consumer Energy Resources Implementation Plan. The plan sought to effectively integrate consumer energy resources, such as rooftop solar and batteries, into the National Electricity Market. The primary purpose of the AER’s review was to identify and analyse potential regulatory gaps associated with the implementation of flexible export limits by distribution network service providers (DNSPs) and identify actions that could address the risks to energy consumers associated with these gaps.

In October 2022, the AER released its flexible export limits issues paper for consultation, which complemented reviews undertaken by other market bodies as part of the Consumer Energy Resources Implementation Plan. The issues paper sought stakeholder feedback on a range of matters relating to the review of the regulatory framework for flexible export limits.

In July 2023, the AER published the final response to the issues paper consultation. The final response set out the regulatory arrangements needed to support the efficient implementation and uptake of flexible export limits across the National Electricity Market.

On 17 November 2023, the AER published the draft export limit interim guidance note for consultation. We received 20 submissions on the draft interim guidance note, which have been used to inform the our final position and its implementation approach.

On 23 October 2024, the AER published the final guidance note.