The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to grant conditional re-authorisation for current and future participants within the North West Power System (NWPS) to agree to rules related to the coordination of dispatch of generators, and demand management and load shedding of certain electricity consumers in the NWPS (the Dispatch Protocol).
The NWPS is a shared network centred in Mount Isa, Queensland, and is not connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM). There is a current proposal for the NWPS to connect to the NEM (the CopperString 2.0 project).
The Conduct has been conditionally authorised since 29 January 2015. The ACCC considers re-authorising the Conduct will result in public benefits through providing quality and reliability of electricity supply, system security and safety. The ACCC considers there will be minimal public detriment resulting from the Conduct. While the CopperString 2.0 project proposes to connect the NWPS to the NEM, the project is at an early stage and it is not yet certain whether it will proceed. The ACCC also considers the Dispatch Protocol will be likely to be required to facilitate the transition of the NWPS to the NEM (should it occur).
Re-authorisation is proposed to be granted for 5 years, subject to a condition that Stanwell Corporation Limited and Diamantina Power Station Pty Ltd (the Applicants) notify the ACCC in writing within 10 business days of any amendment made to the Dispatch Protocol, including the Schedules (with exceptions).
The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to allow the participants to continue to engage in the Conduct while the ACCC is considering the substantive application for re-authorisation.
The ACCC invites submissions in relation to this draft determination by 28 January 2020 before making its final decision.
Authorisation provides businesses with legal protection for arrangements that may otherwise risk breaching the law but are not harmful to competition and/or are likely to result in overall public benefits.
Further information about the ACCC’s decision is available on the public register at: Stanwell Corporation Limited & Diamantina Power Station Pty Ltd.