COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Australian Energy Market Commission
On 19 December 2019, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released draft rules titled National Electricity Amendment (Introduction of metering coordinator planned interruptions) Draft Rule 2020 and National Energy Retail Amendment (Introduction of metering coordinator planned interruptions) Draft Rule 2020 and accompanying draft rule determination. The draft Rule will provide customers with shared fusing at their premises with greater certainty on when their electricity meter will be installed.
In addition, the draft rule:
- introduces a 30 business day installation timeframe requirement on the retailer where the installation of a meter requires an interruption to other customers.
- Where a retailer has requested a distribution network service provider (DNSP) to carry out a distributor planned interruption to enable a retailer or an MC to effect a new meter installation or replacement, the draft rule requires the DNSP to carry out the interruption within 25 business days and coordinate with the retailer, MC and other relevant parties in order to allow the retailer or MC (as applicable) to meet their timeframe requirements.
- contains minor changes to make it clear that a retailer is able to interrupt supply to any of its own customers for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing or replacing metering equipment, not just the customer receiving the new meter.
- amends the requirements to be covered within the AEMO's metrology procedure to require DNSPs to record shared fusing information as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the shared fuse arrangements.
- contains changes to two information provision requirements. The first of these changes would provide information on shared fusing, where available, to retailers when DNSPs are required to send out meter malfunction notifications (for type 5/6 meters). The second of these changes would require the retailer to indicate in its planned interruption notification whether the interruption is for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing or replacing the notified customer's meter, or another customer's meter.
The AEMC’s draft rule determination has been assessed by the Office of Best Practice Regulation as compliant with requirements for a Council of Australian Government’s Consultation RIS.
Comments on this Draft Determination and Draft Rules are invited by close of business 13 February 2020. More information on the consultation process, including how to make a submission, can be found here.
Please note: any accessibility queries should be directed to the Australian Energy Market Commission.