AER - Explanatory note - Connection charge guideline review - April 2023

On 6 April 2023, the AER released its final Connection charge guideline for electricity customers and accompanying explanatory note in light of changes made to the National Electricity Rules in August 2021.

The updated Guideline describes the circumstances (or how to determine the circumstances) under which a Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) may impose a static zero export limit to a micro embedded generator seeking to connect to the network.

Following consultation on the draft guideline released in October 2022, the AER has determined that such limits should only be applied in exceptional circumstances.

The conditions regulating how a DNSP may impose a static zero export limit on new rooftop solar remains substantially unchanged from the draft version for consultation, with the following additions:

• A condition outlining how a DNSP should communicate with rooftop solar connection applicants when a zero export limit is imposed.
• Customer protection provisions for those rare cases where static zero export limits are imposed.

These additions are in response to stakeholder feedback and are intended to strengthen customer safeguards.