The AER is required under Chapter 6A of the National Electricity Rules (NER) to make a transmission determination for Powerlink in relation to the Queensland electricity transmission network.
On 31 May 2011, Powerlink submitted its revenue proposal, proposed negotiating framework and proposed pricing methodology to the AER.
The AER's proposed negotiated transmission service criteria
Under clause 6A.9.4 of the NER the AER's transmission determination for Powerlink must set out the Negotiated Transmission Service Criteria (NTSC). The NTSC will be applied by Powerlink to negotiate the terms and conditions of access for negotiated transmission services and access charges.
The NTSC will also be used by a commercial arbitrator in resolving any dispute between Powerlink and a person wishing to receive a negotiated transmission service.
The NTSC determined by the AER must give effect to, and be consistent with, the negotiated transmission services principles set out in clause 6A.9.1 of the NER.
Invitation for submissions
Interested parties are invited to provide written submissions on Powerlink's proposal and the AER's proposed NTSC to the AER by close of business Friday, 12 August 2011.
Powerlink's proposal, supporting information, and the AER's proposed NTSC for Powerlink are available at the AER's website.
Submissions can be sent electronically to AERInquiry
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERInquiry[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)
Alternatively, submissions can be sent to:
Mr Warwick AndersonGeneral Manager-Network Regulation
Australian Energy Regulator
GPO Box 3131
Canberra ACT 2601
The AER prefers that all submissions be in an electronic format and publicly available, to facilitate an informed, transparent and robust consultation process. Accordingly, submissions will be treated as public documents and posted on the AER's website, except and unless prior arrangements are made with the AER to treat the submission, or portions of it, as confidential. Parties wishing to submit confidential information are requested to:
- clearly identify the information that is the subject of the confidentiality claim; and
- provide a non-confidential version of the submission.
Public forum
The AER wishes to advise interested parties of its intention to hold a public forum on the proposal submitted by Powerlink on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 in Brisbane.
Details regarding the public forum will be made available by the AER in a separate notice.
Pre-publication of the AER’s determination
After making but prior to publishing its draft and final determinations/reasons, the AER may provide certain aspects of its determinations/reasons (including providing excerpts) and associated financial models to Powerlink. The purpose of this process is to protect the legitimate confidentiality and intellectual property interests of Powerlink (and, potentially, third-party providers) by providing Powerlink with an opportunity to comment on whether the determinations/reasons contain information that might be confidential.