On 9 September 2010, the Australian Energy Market Commission (Commission) gave notice under sections 102 and 103 of the National Electricity Law (NEL) of the making of a final Rule determination and a final Rule in relation to the Aggregation of Ancillary Services Loads Rule change request.  The Rule as Made removes the requirement for market loads forming part of an aggregated ancillary services load to be classified as a scheduled load.  The Commencement date for the Rule as Made is 16 September 2010.

Background

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) lodged the Rule change request on 18 December 2009. 

AEMO considered that the Rules impose a barrier to loads aggregating to provide Market Ancillary Services (MAS).  In particular, AEMO stated that although there is no requirement for ancillary services loads to be scheduled loads, a group of ancillary services loads may only be aggregated if they are also classified as scheduled loads.  AEMO considered that the different treatment between aggregated and individual loads is not necessary. 

To address the perceived barriers AEMO proposes to amend clause 3.8.3 of the Rules to allow Market Customers to aggregate ancillary services loads for the purpose of providing MAS without requiring the loads to be scheduled.   

On 25 March 2010, the Commission gave notice under section 95 of the NEL commencing consultation on the Rule change request from AEMO.  First round consultation on the Rule change request closed on 23 April 2010.  Five submissions were received. 

On 24 June 2010, the Commission gave notice under section 99 of the NEL of the making of a draft Rule determination and a draft Rule in relation to the Rule change request. Written submissions and comments on the draft Rule determination and draft Rule were due by 6 August 2010.  Four submissions were received.