Nexa Advisory welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the network performance reporting consultation being undertaken by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
The main purpose of the AER’s consultation is to improve transparency in the performance reporting of regulated electricity networks, particularly on the two new priorities: emission reduction targets and export services provided by Distribution Network Service Providers.
Network performance reporting is a complex topic given the interactions with other regulatory frameworks faced by network businesses. We are concerned that the AER has only allowed three weeks for this consultation.
Our concern is sharpened by very recent waiver applications that push ring‑fencing boundaries – notably Ausgrid’s Community Power Network (CPN).
The timing and scope suggest this consultation also is poorly targeted; distribution planning reporting reforms currently being undertaken by the AEMC will necessitate equivalent shifts in performance reporting. Any enduring changes to AER performance reporting made now would risk duplication and misalignment with any changes made through the Integrated Distribution System Planning reforms. This is true for both new priority areas proposed by the AER – emissions reduction and export services. It may be appropriate not to make pre-emptive changes to the network reporting guidelines when the network data that will be reported on is likely to change in the near future.
Read our submission here: Nexa Advisory – AER Network Performance submission