The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has taken responsibility as the wholesale and retail market operator in Western Australia. It will also take ownership of the WA Gas Bulletin Board and Gas Statement of Opportunities and, during 2016, power system operations from Western Power.
The move establishes it as the independent system operator for the state. While the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and the National Electricity Market (NEM) differ in their market design, they do share common familiarities, challenges and objectives.
“Today represents a significant step forward to creating a national energy market and to establish the right model that achieves the market objectives of reliability and efficiency in investment and operation,” AEMO managing director and chief executive officer Matt Zema said.
“We believe there are a number of benefits to be realised by energy market consumers and participants with the potential for common interfaces to be available to participants and investors in the WEM and the NEM.
“Equally, we recognise there are unique features of the WA market and we will continue to operate market arrangements and systems tailored to WA needs for the foreseeable future.”
The body will continue to work with the state’s energy market reform process to maintain reliability and security while driving efficiency in investment and operation.
“AEMO looks forward to playing a role in the retail market services, and system and market operation arrangements, supporting the activities of the government’s reform process for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Mr Zema said.
