The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released a draft electricity network service provider exemption guideline (Network Guideline) and accompanying draft Decision for consultation.
Under the National Electricity Rules, any party that owns or operates a private electricity network must either be registered with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as a network service provider, or be exempted by the AER from this requirement. The Network Guideline outlines classes of electricity transmission or distribution activities which will be exempt from the obligation to be registered as a network service provider with AEMO, subject to the conditions set out in the Guideline being met.
In June 2011, the AER released an initial draft Network Guideline and accompanying consultation paper. On 27 July 2011, the AER also held a public forum. This draft Decision reflects the AER’s consideration of submissions received and, where relevant, consequential amendments to the draft Network Guideline.
The AER invites written submissions on the draft Network Guideline by Friday 11 November 2011. Submissions should be sent to AERInquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERInquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au), with 'Submission to the network exemption guideline' in the subject line.