James Stevenson-Wallace, Chief Executive of the Electricity Authority, gave his view on the wholesale electricity market in the lead-up to the annual Downstream Energy Market conference, held in Auckland on 5 and 6 March 2019.

• Wholesale electricity market commentary by James Stevenson-Wallace (6-page PDF)

We have published the papers from the Market Development Advisory Group (MDAG) meeting on 26 February 2019.

The MDAG considered:

• an updated draft of its Saves and win-backs recommendations paper 
• the problem definition and possible options for the Review of spot market trading conduct provisions.

The papers are available on our website.

• MDAG meeting papers

The stress test scenarios previously published on the Authority's website will apply for the April–June quarter of 2019. There is 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 the NZX as the independent registrar appointed by the Authority.

Questions about the stress tests can be directed to marketoperations@ea.govt.nz. Please include 'stress test' in the subject line.

Further information is available on our website.

• Stress tests 
• Previously published stress test scenarios  
• Stress test results

Last week we sent a memo to metering equipment providers (MEP) regarding the annual inspections of category 1 metering installations.

If you are an MEP and have not received the memo, please contact marketoperations@ea.govt.nz 

On 6 March 2019, the Gas Industry Company (GIC) released a paper titled Options Paper for Information Disclosure for consultation. It sets out a proposed problem statement and discusses the importance of information for the operation of a well-functioning market.

Last December, GIC established the information disclosure workstream to address potential information issues relating to information availability in the wholesale gas sector. As part of that workstream GIC will consider whether current market arrangements related to information disclosure in the sector are sufficient or whether further arrangements are required.

GIC invites submissions from all stakeholders including the wider energy sector. Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday, 17 April 2019. 

GIC will hold an industry workshop to discuss the options paper at its offices in Wellington on Wednesday, 27 March 2019.  

Visit GIC's website to make a submission, and to RSVP for the workshop.

• Consultation: Options Paper for Information Disclosure 

Download and view our high-level consultation calendar (PDF)