The winter of 2017 was characterised by an extended period of low hydro inflows in the South Island. The Authority has, since its inception, implemented a wide range of measures aimed at incentivising the effective management of low inflow events. The winter of 2017 provided an excellent opportunity to assess the performance of these measures. 

The 2017 Winter Review indicated that many of the regulatory and market mechanisms that the Authority has introduced since 2010 to improve security of supply during low inflow events are working well. Together these mechanisms meant that despite historically low hydro inflows, during winter 2017 generators managed their hydro resources more cautiously.

The 2017 Winter Review report is available on our website.

• 2017 Winter Review report
• Media release

On 28 June the Electricity Industry Participation Code Amendment (Customer Compensation Scheme) 2018, will come into force.
  
The amendment is to Part 9 of the Code.

• Code amendment and gazette notice 

We have appointed Jennifer Cherrington-Mowat and Tim Rudkin as new members of the Innovation and Participation Advisory Group (IPAG) for terms commencing 14 June 2018 and ending 30 September 2019. Their appointments follow the resignations of George Block and Melanie Lynn.

Jennifer is the Executive General Manager – Technology and Digital at Genesis Energy and has several years' experience working for large digital businesses, such as Amazon. Tim is the Chief Executive of energy brokerage firm Saveawatt and has a background in international finance and other commercial ventures. 

Full biographies for all IPAG members can be found on our website.

• IPAG member biographies

The stress test scenarios previously published on our website will apply for the July−September 2018 quarter. There’s no change from the previous quarter.

The stress testing regime requires certain participants in the wholesale electricity market to apply a set of standard stress tests to their market position, and report the results to their board and to NZX (as the independent registrar appointed by the Authority).

Please send any questions about the stress tests to marketoperations@ea.govt.nz (with ‘stress test’ included in the subject line).

More information about the stress tests is available on our website.

• Further information 
• Previous stress test scenarios 
• Stress test results 

Market Development Advisory Group (MDAG) Saves and win-backs issues paper

The MDAG is seeking feedback on its Saves and win-backs issues paper. The Saves and win-backs project considers whether to amend the Code in response to the Authority’s August 2017 post-implementation review of the 'saves' Code provisions.

• Consultation paper

Started: 22/05/2018; Ending: 29/06/2018 5pm

Proposed list of distributed generation eligible to qualify to receive ACOT in the lower North Island

We are seeking views on the proposed list of distributed generation in the lower North Island that would be eligible under the regulated terms in Part 6 of the Code to receive avoided cost of transmission (ACOT) payments from distributors.

• Consultation paper

Started: 22/05/2018; Ending: 03/07/2018 5pm