IPART is seeking feedback on draft recommendations to the Minister for Energy to grant a new transmission operator’s licence to ACEREZ Partnership (ACEREZ) and the draft conditions that this licence may operate under.
Tribunal member and Energy Networks Regulation Committee Chair, Jonathan Coppel, said the licence would allow ACEREZ to operate the transmission system connecting the Central West Orana renewable energy zone (CWO-REZ) to the NSW electricity grid.
Mr Coppel said “Our draft recommendations are that the Minister grant ACEREZ a licence, with appropriate conditions to promote the safe, reliable and environmentally responsible operation of the Central-West Orana Transmission System.
“We have emphasised the need to meet community expectations while not unnecessarily increasing the burden and cost of regulation which is ultimately paid for by customers”.
The Minister for Energy declared the CWO-REZ a transmission system on 19 April 2024 and ACEREZ Partnership lodged a transmission operator’s licence application on the same day. The NSW Minister for Energy gazetted notice of the application on 24 April 2024.
The draft licence conditions recommended by IPART set out the requirements that ACEREZ are to operate the transmission system under, including provisions for critical infrastructure, reliability and performance, management of its transmission system, reporting and business continuity.
The Consumer Trustee has authorised the project and planning approval was granted in late June.
IPART’s draft recommendations for the transmission operator’s licence are available from the IPART website, along with the draft licence conditions and the licence application.
Public and stakeholder feedback on the draft licence and conditions is welcome until 2 August 2024. IPART will provide our final recommendations to the Minister in September 2024.
Media Contact: Mark O’Brien
Mobile: 0427 105 865
Email: media@ipart.nsw.gov.au