The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has ruled to clarify and update provisions in the National Electricity Rules (NER) relating to the Reliability Panel’s governance arrangements with a view to promoting effective execution of responsibilities, transparency and timely consultation.
The Reliability Panel determines standards and some of the guidelines used by AEMO and participants, which help maintain a secure and reliable power system for consumers.
Its members represent a range of participants in the national electricity market including consumer groups, generators, network businesses, retailers and AEMO.
The final rule makes some changes to the NER including:
- The ability to nominate an Acting Chair on a standing basis
- Clarifying the role of discretionary members and how they are appointed
- The introduction of more streamlined consultation processes where appropriate
- Extending the exemption for independence from the system operator to the Panel member representing distribution network service providers
- Publishing the Panel’s Annual Market Performance Review on a financial year, rather than calendar year basis, to make it easier for stakeholders to compare information.
