Energy industry cooperation authorised with strict conditions

mou, low emissions

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and participants in gas and electricity markets have been authorised to cooperate on measures to secure Australia’s energy supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The authorisation granted by the ACCC allows AEMO and energy industry participants to share essential personnel, essential inputs such as parts and equipment, and information about the operation of their facilities. They will also be permitted to co-ordinate repairs and maintenance.

“It is essential that Australian businesses and households have access to reliable and efficient energy supplies. The ACCC’s authorisation will allow industry to work together in a way that will help to minimise the risk of short-falls, particularly over the summer period,” ACCC Commissioner Stephen Ridgeway said.

Related article: Entura engineer named professional engineer of the year

“This will also allow AEMO and industry participants to coordinate their busy maintenance period after summer, including on important repairs that were delayed during 2020 because of COVID-19. This co-ordination will also allow them to minimise the chance of COVID-19 outbreaks within facilities.”

Cooperation between energy market participants under the proposed authorisation must be facilitated by AEMO. It does not allow the sharing of information about wholesale or retail energy prices, retail costs or profits; or any agreements relating to these issues.

Related article: New report assesses electricity networks’ performance

The conditions of authorisation are similar to those that have applied to AEMO’s interim authorisation granted in April 2020 and will apply for the full duration of the authorisation, until 31 May 2021.

AEMO must report publicly on any coordination undertaken under the authorisation. The authorisation also ensures that any agreements between parties cease when the authorisation expires.

“We’ve already seen benefits of the interim authorisation, through the sharing of information and the implementation of COVID-19 precautions at facilities. For example, AEMO has been coordinating maintenance at generators in Victoria and Queensland so that more generation capacity is available to meet demand during summer,” Mr Ridgeway said.

More information is available on the ACCC public register at Australian Energy Market Operator.

Previous articleNew report assesses electricity networks’ performance
Next articleIchthys LNG wins NT’s top engineering award