On 16 January 2020, the AEMC published the self-initiated Minor changes 2020 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) and 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.

For the changes to the NER this included clarifying amendments made to the NER by the National Electricity Amendment (Register of distributed energy resources) Rule 2018 No. 9 to ensure connection applicants provide the DER generation information that Network Service Providers require and to ensure DER generation information is provided to AEMO, and by the Global settlement and market reconciliation rule to clarify that unaccounted for energy will not be allocated by AEMO to distribution-connected generators but will be allocated to all retailers in a local area, in respect of their market loads, based on their accounted for energy.

Submissions to the rule change proposal closed on 13 February 2020. The Commission did not receive any submissions. 

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 rules under the expedited rule making process.

The AEMC has made a final rule determination to make the Minor changes 2020.

On 12 March 2020, the AEMC made the National Electricity Amendment (Minor changes) Rule 2020 No. 3 and the National Energy Retail Amendment (Minor changes) Rule 2020 No. 2. These Rules were made by the AEMC to correct minor errors and make non-material changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER) and the Energy Retail Rules (NERR). As with previous AEMC initiated rules, these minor corrections and non-material changes will make the rules clearer to stakeholders.

Background

On 16 January 2019, the AEMC gave notice under sections 95 and 96(1)(a) of the National Electricity Law and 251 and 252 of the National Energy Retail Law of its intention to initiate the proposed National Electricity Amendment (Minor Changes) Rule 2020 and the National Energy Retail Amendment (Minor Changes) Rule 2020 under the expedited Rule making process.

Note: Schedule 2 of the National Electricity Amendment (Minor changes) Rule 2020 No. 3 will commence operation on 1 May 2022 as a result of the amendments made under the National Electricity Amendment (Delayed implementation of five minute and global settlement) Rule 2020 No. 10.