On 11 April 2024, the AEMC published the self initiated Minor changes 1 2024 rule change proposal. 

The rule change proposal was initiated by the AEMC to correct minor errors and make non-material changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER), the National Gas Rules (NGR) and the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) to improve their quality.  As with previous AEMC initiated rules, these minor corrections and non-material changes make the rules clearer to stakeholders.

In particular, the final rules:

• insert notes identifying relevant rules or clauses in the NER, NGR and NERR that are classified as a civil penalty provisions under the National Electricity (South Australia) Regulations, National Gas (South Australia) Regulations or National Energy Retail Regulations, respectively.
• make non-material changes in chapters 2, 5, 5A, 6, 7 and 10 of the NER. These changes ensure consistency between the National Electricity Amendment (Integrating energy storage systems into the NEM) Rule 2021 No. 13, commencing on 3 June 2024, and the National Electricity Amendment (Regulated stand-alone power systems) Rule 2022 made by the South Australian Minister, which has already commenced.
• inserts references to "Scheduled Integrated Resource Providers" in three places in clauses 3.14.5A of the NER
• correct erroneous phrasing in clause 6A.3.3(d) of the NER relating to concessional finance adjustments to ensure consistency with the remainder of clause 6A.3.3.
• correct a reference error in the definition of “concessional finance agreement” in chapter 10 of the NER.

Submissions to the rule change proposal closed on 9 May 2024. 

The AEMC received one submission on the rule change proposal from AEMO.

The Commission undertook an expedited process for this rule change proposal as it was considered non-controversial. Under an expedited rule making process, a final rule determination must be made within eight weeks of the initiation of the process under the uniform energy rules. 

The AEMC did not receive any objections to it assessing the rule under the expedited rule making process. 

The AEMC has made a final determination to make the Minor changes 1 2024 electricity, gas and retail rules, which will all commence operation on 3 June 2024.

Background

On 11 April 2024, the AEMC gave notice under sections 95 and 96(1)(a) of the National Electricity Law, sections 303 and 304 of the National Gas Law and sections 251 and 252 of the National Energy Retail Law to initiate the proposed National Electricity Amendment (Minor changes 1) Rule 2024, National Gas Amendment (Minor changes 1) Rule 2024 and National Energy Retail Amendment (Minor changes 1) Rule 2024 under the expedited Rule making process.