The AER has made an amendment to the Electricity Distribution Ring-fencing Guideline (Guideline), which was first published in November 2016.
It follows a consultation process that commenced in July this year with the publication of the AER’s Draft Amended Ring-fencing Guideline. The Guideline amendment process was intended to address the need for improved clarity of certain terms and definitions used in the Guideline and to address unintended consequences stemming from the way the Guideline was initially drafted.
The Electricity Distribution Ring-fencing Guideline Version 2 makes all of the amendments proposed in the Draft Amended Ring-fencing Guideline. It also includes a small number of additional minor changes.
The amended Guideline is accompanied by an Explanatory Statement, which discusses the submissions received during the consultation process and sets out reasons for making further amendments.
All electricity distribution businesses are expected to be fully compliant with the Guideline as soon as reasonably practicable and by no later than 1 January 2018.