Publications
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Jemena Gas Networks revised access arrangement 2020-25
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) consultation on Jemena Gas Network’s (JGN) revised access arrangement 2020-25. PIAC’s submission builds on earlier engagement with JGN as part of this process. PIAC supports the AER’s draft determination not to allow accelerated depreciation for new network investments to address potential future asset stranding risk. Jemena has…
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Regulatory Sandbox Rule Change
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) regulatory sandbox rule change consultation. We support the proposed introduction of a set of regulatory sandbox tools that allow changes to the regulatory framework to be trialled in a manner that balances the potential to capture the benefits of transformation against the risks. However, we stress…
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National Energy Consumer Framework Review Issues Paper 2: Traditional sale of energy
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (the Commission) Energy Consumer Framework Issues Paper 2 concerning the traditional sale of energy. We recommend protections are determined using a harm-based approach. We consider the two broad areas singled out for review do not cover some key aspects of the National Energy Consumer Framework (NECF) which…
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Distributor-led Stand-Alone Power Systems draft rule
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) consultation on draft rules for distributor-led Stand-Alone Power Systems (SAPS). As noted in earlier submissions to the AEMC, PIAC supports Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) being able to transfer existing customers onto SAPS supply where it is a more efficient and preferable option to retaining traditional…
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Transmission ring-fencing discussion paper
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) discussion paper on electricity transmission ring-fencing. The purpose of ring-fencing is to prevent regulated businesses from discriminating in favour of their related parties to disadvantage competitors operating in these markets. PIAC supports the provision of protections, and imposition of restrictions that are commensurate to the potential harm…
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Guidelines to make the Integrated System Plan actionable
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s issues paper on guidelines to make the Integrated System Plan (ISP) actionable. PIAC considers the AER has the capacity to build trust in the process and outcome of the ISP by providing expert regulation, independent dispute resolution and assessment of ISP projects. We stress, given the new investment…
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Broken Hill supply RIT-T PSCR
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) for the Broken Hill supply consultation. We support the credible options that TransGrid has identified in the PSCR and look forward to their more detailed costing and the overall cost-benefit analyses. We also look forward to further discussion on how the…
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Submission on the 2nd Exposure Draft of the Religious Freedom Bills
While PIAC supports the inclusion ‘religious belief (or lack of belief)’ as a protected attribute in Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation, the primary recommendation of this submission is that the draft Religious Discrimination Bill should not proceed, because it diminishes existing rights protections and privileges the rights of some over others. Like the First Exposure Draft released…
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Distributor DER integration expenditure assessment
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) assessment of Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integration expenditure. We commend the AER for consulting on DNSPs’ DER expenditure as the current assessment and determination framework is suited to traditional network expenditure rather than DER. We recommend the effect DER has on resilience…
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Reducing Customer Switching Times Draft Determination
PIAC responded to the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) consultation on Reducing Customers’ Switching Times Draft Determination. We broadly supports AEMO’s proposed procedure changes and considers they will contribute to better consumer outcomes by reducing switching times for customers wishing to change electricity retailers. We support the proposed changes to allow for transfers within the…