The Reliability Panel today started its Annual market performance review of the reliability, security and safety of the national electricity market for the period July 2016 to June 2017.

Each year the Reliability Panel undertakes a review of power system performance against standards and guidelines in the National Electricity Rules. The review is designed to help governments, policy makers and market institutions monitor the performance of the power system, and identify improvements to the various measures available for delivering reliability, security and safety.

The review will draw on information from a number of sources including the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Australian Energy Regulator, jurisdictional regulators and market participants.

Terms of Reference for the review, issued by the Australian Energy Market Commission, are also published today.

This year’s report will take a similar format and approach to the 2016 report. Stakeholders are invited to provide submissions on the approach and any relevant issues that they believe should be considered by the Panel in the review. Submissions are due by 19 September 2017.

Stakeholders may request a public meeting to discuss the approach and content of the review. Requests for a public meeting are due by 19 September 2017.

The Panel will publish its final report in March 2018. 

Media: Communication Manager, Prudence Anderson, 0404 821 935

Reliability Panel

The Reliability Panel's core functions relate to the safety, security and reliability of the national electricity system. The focus of the Panel's work is on determining standards and guidelines which are part of the framework for maintaining a secure and reliable power system. The Panel is chaired by AEMC Commissioner, Mr Neville Henderson. Its members are broadly representative of all stakeholders interested in the operation of the power system and the electricity market including consumer groups, generators, network service providers, retailers and the power system and market operator, AEMO.

What is reliability?

Reliability of the power system is about having enough capacity (generation and networks) to supply customers.

What is system security?

The power system is secure when it is able to operate within defined technical limits, even if there is an incident such as the loss of a major transmission line or large generator

What is safety?

Safety of the power system relates to a wide range of issues, including the safe operation of equipment, and the safety of personnel and the public. There is no national safety regulator and each jurisdiction has specific safety provisions relating to transmission and distribution power systems.