Rule Change: Completed
Overview
On 27 November 2014, the AEMC made a new rule to require network businesses to set prices that reflect the efficient cost of providing network services to individual consumers. This will allow consumers to make more informed decisions about their use of electricity.
The rule establishes a new pricing objective and new pricing principles for distribution businesses that will require that network prices reflect the efficient costs of providing network services. This will allow consumers to compare the value they place on using the network against the costs caused by their use of it. Consumers who choose to respond to network prices by reducing their consumption in higher cost periods will be rewarded through lower network charges.
The rule also contains new processes and timeframes for setting network prices. This will require distribution businesses to consult with consumers and retailers to develop a tariff structure statement that outlines the price structures that they will apply for the regulatory period. This statement will be approved by the AER as part of the five-year regulatory reset process. The businesses will also publish annually an indicative pricing schedule to provide consumers and retailers with the most up to date information on likely price levels throughout the regulatory period. This new process will lead to increased certainty, transparency and timeliness with respect to network pricing for consumers.
Network prices based on the new pricing objective and pricing principles will be gradually phased in from 2017. Under the final rule, network businesses will need to submit their initial tariff structure statement to the AER by late 2015.
Background
On 18 September 2013, the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council (COAG Energy Council) submitted a rule change request to improve the arrangements within the national electricity rules by which distribution network prices are set and structured. This rule change request is in response to recommendations made to COAG Energy Council in the Power of Choice review.
Due to a significant overlap of issues, COAG Energy Council’s rule change request was consolidated with the Annual Network Pricing Arrangements rule change that was initiated by the AEMC on 6 June 2013. This rule change was requested by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and sought to amend the timing of the annual pricing process for earlier notification of network prices and introduce greater certainty and consultation into the annual network pricing process.
The AEMC commenced consultation on the consolidated rule change request on 14 November 2013.
Documentation
FINAL
AEMC Documents
Final determination | Final rule |
Information sheet | Infographic |
News announcement - general | Fact pack |
Notice - s102, s103 | Section 108A report |
News announcement - business |
Consultant reports
DRAFT
AEMC Documents
Consultants reports
NERA Economic Consulting – Network pricing report | NERA Economic Consulting – Current and emerging technologies |
The Brattle Group – Recovery of residual costs |
Public Forum – 22 September 2014
Presentations
Submissions on Draft determination
Late Submissions
WORKSHOPS
Cost reflective network pricing stakeholder workshop one - 26 February 2014
Agenda | NERA presentation: Cost Reflective Electricity Network Pricing |
NERA presentation: Case Study of Emerging Technologies |
Network Pricing Framework stakeholder workshop one – 13 March 2014
AEMC presentation - What should be the key objectives of the network pricing framework | AEMC presentation - Do the rule change proposals meet the pricing framework objectives? |
Agenda |
Cost reflective network pricing stakeholder workshop two - 11 April 2014
AEMC Documents
Distribution network pricing arrangements workshops – 16 May 2014
INITIATION
Public forum
Submission on Consultation Paper
AEMC documents
Consultation Paper | Information sheet – commencement of rule change |
Notices - section 93, section 95 and section 107 of the NEL |
Late submissions
Proposal documents
Presentations
IPART RULE CHANGE REQUEST CONSULTATION PAPER
AEMC documents
Information sheet - extended timeframe | Notice - section 107 |
Consultation Paper | Information Sheet |
Notice - section 95 |