The AER is seeking public submissions on SA Power Networks application for a waiver from clause 4.2.3 of the Ring-fencing guideline (Electricity distribution).
On 2 January 2024, SA Power Networks submitted a waiver application to allow for their participation in the Market Active Solar (MAS) trial. This trial seeks to investigate the efficiency of making solar systems more market-responsive using alternative models of partnership between distribution businesses and retailers. The MAS trial is a project co-funded by SA Power Networks, AGL, Simply Energy and ARENA.
The trial would involve 50 customers participating in a 12-month scheme, whereby SA Power Networks would be able to test the benefits of sending an integrated communication signal to a customer’s inverter for curtailing solar exports during day-time periods, when the electricity price is negative. SA Power Networks hopes that the trial will produce learnings and potential cost savings that will benefit customers, retailers, and aggregators.
As part of the waiver application, SA Power Networks has proposed to share learnings from the trial with stakeholders including information on costing, customer enrolments and analysis on network/retailer drivers for solar curtailment.
The waiver is being sought for a period of 18 months, starting 1 July 2024.
Have your say
We invite stakeholders to provide submissions on SA Power Networks proposed ring-fencing waiver application to inform our decision-making.
We prefer to make written submissions publicly available to facilitate an informed and transparent consultative process. We will treat written submissions as public documents unless otherwise requested.
Stakeholders should email any comments or written submissions to AERringfencing
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERringfencing[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au) by close of business on 15 March 2024
Timeline
The proposed timing for our consultation and decision is:
February 2024 – publish Initiation notice for consultation
Mid March 2024 – Submissions close
Late April 2024 – AER issues decision and statement of reasons