The AER is required under Chapter 6 of the National Electricity Rules (the chapter 6 rules) to make a distribution determination for the Queensland electricity distributors (Energex and Ergon Energy) in relation to their respective electricity distribution services. The determination will impose controls over the prices and revenues that Energex and Ergon Energy may recover for these services over the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2015.
On 30 June 2009, the Queensland electricity distributors (Energex and Ergon Energy) each submitted a regulatory proposal together with supporting information to the AER. The AER has conducted a preliminary examination of the regulatory proposals and has decided to publish them.
AER proposed negotiated distribution service criteria
Negotiated Distribution Service Criteria (NDSC) set out the criteria that are to be applied by Energex and Ergon Energy in negotiating terms and conditions of access for negotiated distribution services and will be used by the AER in resolving any access dispute about the terms and conditions of access.
The AER's distribution determination for Energex and Ergon Energy must set out the NDSC to be applied to negotiated distribution services. The NDSC determined by the AER must give effect to, and be consistent with, the negotiated distribution service principles set out in clause 6.7.1 of the chapter 6 rules.
The AER has developed proposed NDSC to apply to Energex and Ergon over the 2010 to 2015 regulatory period and, consistent with the chapter 6 rules, is seeking to consult with interested parties on them.
Invitation for submissions
Interested parties are invited to make written submissions on the Queensland electricity distributors’ regulatory proposals and the AER's proposed NDSC to the AER by close of business Friday, 28 August 2008.
The Queensland electricity distributors’ regulatory proposals and the AER's proposed NDSC can be found on the AER's website.
Interested parties can request copies of supporting documents provided by the Queensland DNSPs with their regulatory proposals by emailing aerinquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) or alternatively by contacting the AER on (02) 6243 1233. Supporting documents will be provided on a CD.
Submissions may be sent electronically to aerinquiryaer [dot] gov [dot] au (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).
Alternatively, submissions may be sent to:
Mike BuckleyGeneral Manager
Network Regulation North Branch
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 3131
Canberra ACT 2601
The AER prefers that all written submissions be publicly available to facilitate an informed and transparent consultative process. Submissions will be treated as public documents unless otherwise requested. Parties wishing to submit confidential information are asked to provide both confidential and non-confidential versions of their submission. All non-confidential submissions will be placed on the AER’s website.
The AER may, but need not, consider a submission it receives after the consultation period has ended.
Public forum
The AER will be hosting a public forum on the regulatory proposals submitted by the Queensland electricity distributors. The forum details are:
Date:
3 August 2009
Time:
8.30am to 1.30pm
Venue:
Christie Centre
320 Adelaide Street
Brisbane
The public forum will provide an opportunity for each business to explain its regulatory proposal. Interested parties will also have an opportunity to ask questions on the regulatory proposals.
Attached to this notice is a registration form. If you would like to attend the forum, please send completed registration form to the AER via email aerinquiryaer [dot] gov [dot] au (aerinquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) or alternatively fax it to (02) 6245 1205. The closing date for registration is Friday 24 July 2009.
The agenda for the public forum will be emailed to registered participants prior to the public forum.