The Australian Energy Market Commission today started consultation on a rule change request received from Snowy Hydro related to the requirements in the National Electricity Rules requiring scheduled loads to participate in the central dispatch process.

Under Snowy Hydro’s proposal, all market customers with a market load 30 MW or greater, that are responsive, or intend to be responsive, to the spot price of electricity must become scheduled. Once scheduled, they will have to comply with all the requirements and obligations associated with being scheduled, including but not limited to, submitting bids, conforming to good faith bidding requirements and complying with dispatch instructions.

The consultation paper summarises the rule change request and identifies a number of issues to facilitate public consultation and assist stakeholders in providing submissions on the rule change request.

Submissions on the consultation paper are due by Thursday, 3 December 2015.

For further information contact: Media, Prudence Anderson on 0404 821 935 or 02) 8296 7817