Consultations

The Authority consulted on two changes it would the system operator to make to the Security of Supply Forecasting and Information Policy (SOSFIP).

We have now published the submissions we received on this consultation. 

In August 2022 the system operator proposed a replacement SOSFIP, incorporating changes resulting from the 2021 dry year event (as recommended by the Authority and the MartinJenkins report). The proposed SOSFIP contained one change the Authority does not believe is in the long-term benefit of consumers (regarding assessment of electricity demand response in the risk curves), and does not include a change the Authority believes needs to be included (regarding confidential information). Accordingly, the Authority has declined to approve the proposed SOSFIP, and as required by the Code, the Authority is consulting on the two changes it would like the system operator to make.

As there are only two issues being consulted on, consultation is open for two weeks.

Submissions closed 5.00pm on Tuesday 22 November 2022

The policy statement plays a key role in the set of Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) provisions, contracts and other arrangements that collectively deliver common quality and orderly system operation. We have published the consultation paper setting out the system operator’s proposed changes to the policy statement.

The current Policy Statement, effective from 1 August 2022, is the result of the system operator’s periodic review of the policy statement under Clause 8.10A of the Code. That review was due before the final review of the real-time pricing (RTP) impacts on the system operator’s processes were known and so could not incorporate them. This consultation uses the 1 August 2022 Policy Statement as the baseline for the RTP changes.

The key amendments to the existing policy statement include:

• further detail the circumstances in which adjustments are made to the forecast and dispatch schedules, as provided for under Clause 12 of Schedule 13.3 of the Code,
• reform the Dispatch Policy to incorporate the production of Dispatch prices in the dispatch process
• describe the criteria the system operator will use to assess eligibility of market participants as Dispatch Notified participants.

Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 30 August 2022

The policy statement plays a key role in the set of Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) provisions, contracts and other arrangements that collectively deliver common quality and orderly system operation. We have published the consultation paper setting out the system operator’s proposed changes to the policy statement.

The key amendments to the existing policy statement include:

• Adding two new assessments for the system operator to perform when verifying reactive power compliance of generation plant amending the definition of Other events
• Requiring additional information to be recorded for conflicts of interest, and clarifying the conflict of interest obligations
• Various changes to aid clarity and readability.

Submissions close at 5 pm on Tuesday 17 May 2022.

The system operator has proposed a replacement procurement plan and we have published a consultation paper setting out those changes. The procurement plan sets out, for each ancillary service, the principles and process that the system operator will apply and follow in assessing the quantity the system operator is required to purchase. The procurement plan also sets out the proposed approach to procuring ancillary services and the key terms the system operator intends to include in the contracts it negotiates with ancillary service providers.

The system operator’s key proposed changes to the replacement procurement plan include technical changes to the requirements for:

1. Frequency keeping:
   - improve certain provisions related to technical reviews and testing, response timeframes, monitoring requirements, data retention and dispatch
2. Instantaneous reserve:
   - improve certain provisions related to performance requirements, monitoring, periodic testing and data sharing
   make complementary changes that give effect to the Authority’s draft decision to amend the Code to enable battery energy storage systems to be offered as instantaneous reserve while discharging
3. Over frequency reserve
   - improve certain provisions related to periodic testing and data sharing
4. Black start
   - improve certain provisions related to issue rectification and baseline testing
5. Voltage support
   - improve certain provisions related to data sharing.

Submissions closed at 5pm on Tuesday 7 December 2021. The Authority received two submissions. The system operator now has the opportunity to make cross-submissions by 21 December 2022.

We will consider all submissions before deciding whether to approve the replacement procurement plan.

The system operator has proposed a replacement procurement plan and we have published a consultation paper setting out those changes. The procurement plan sets out, for each ancillary service, the principles and process that the system operator will apply and follow in assessing the quantity the system operator is required to purchase. The procurement plan also sets out the proposed approach to procuring ancillary services and the key terms the system operator intends to include in the contracts it negotiates with ancillary service providers.

The system operator’s key proposed changes to the replacement procurement plan include technical changes to the requirements for:

1. Frequency keeping testing and monitoring,
2. Instantaneous reserve testing and data logging,
3. Over frequency reserve testing and,
4. Black start planned outages

Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 11 August 2020. We will consider all submissions before deciding whether to approve the replacement procurement plan.

The policy statement plays a key role in the set of Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code) provisions, contracts and other arrangements that collectively deliver common quality and orderly system operation. The Code requires us to consult on these changes as soon as practicable after receiving the draft. We have published the consultation paper setting out the system operator’s proposed changes to the policy statement.

The key amendments to the existing policy statement include:

• clarifying the risk controls and quality outcomes of Extended Contingent Events (ECEs)
• amending the definition of Other events.

Submissions close at 5 pm on Friday 9 November 2018.

We have published a consultation paper setting out changes to the policy statement that the system operator has proposed. The policy statement plays a key role in the set of Code provisions, contracts and other arrangements that collectively deliver common quality and orderly system operation.

The key proposed changes to the policy statement include:

• changing the way in which the loss of busbars are categorised as contingent events (CE), extended contingent events (ECE) or other events, to align the policy statement with current practice
• requiring the system operator to publish the categorisation methodology for busbars and the results of that process
• reducing the time frame for declaring a grid emergency to within one hour of real time, to align with the proposed changes to the gate closure period
• requiring the system operator to publish a list of granted dispensations and equivalence arrangements
• inserting statements around how the system operator assesses compliance of the fault ride-through provisions

We have published a consultation paper setting out changes to the procurement plan that the system operator has proposed. The procurement plan sets out, for each ancillary service, the principles that the system operator will apply, and the process that that the system operator will follow, in assessing the quantity required to be purchased. The procurement plan also sets out the proposed approach to procuring ancillary services and the key terms the system operator intends to include in the contracts it negotiates with ancillary service providers.

The key proposed changes to the procurement plan include:

• the default timeframe for ancillary service tenders swill change from 12 to 24 months, but tenders can be called more often if the situation requires 
• new language will recognise that the HVDC link now allows frequency keeping and instantaneous reserve to be procured in one island to meet the requirements of the other island
• clarifying the wording to reflect that the system operator may procure zero MW of frequency keeping if none is required
• a number of drafting changes (including relocating some text) will improve the clarity and structure of the document.

We have published a consultation paper setting out changes to the policy statement that the system operator has proposed. The policy statement plays a key role in the set of Code provisions, contracts and other arrangements that collectively deliver common quality and orderly system operation.

The key proposed changes to the policy statement include:

• clarifying and simplifying constraint definitions and requiring the system operator to provide some information earlier regarding market constraints 
• removing implied obligations for other participants to provide information
• removing the obligation to publish and maintain the Business Performance Policy
• providing for a more efficient process for Tiwai reduction line changes.

In addition, we would like feedback from interested parties on the policy statement’s provisions for managing extended contingent event risk following an under-frequency event.

On 17 June 2013, the system operator provided a draft procurement plan to the Electricity Authority (Authority) to apply from 1 December 2013. The majority of the changes proposed by the system operator relate to the multiple frequency keeping provisions in the existing procurement plan.

The Authority is required, under clause 8.44 of the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010, to consult on the draft procurement plan proposed by the system operator. This consultation paper relies on supporting material provided by the system operator, particularly the system operator’s view of the costs and benefits of the proposed changes to the procurement plan.

The Authority will consider all submissions received, including the system operator’s cross submission, as part of its process of finalising the procurement plan. Once finalised, the procurement plan will take effect when it is adopted by the Authority by giving notice in the Gazette. The Authority expects to be able to do this by 1 December 2013.

The Authority and system operator consider there are opportunities to improve the process by which the policy statement and procurement plan are reviewed and amended. In response, and in discussion with the system operator, the Authority has developed a more flexible and efficient review process. At the suggestion of the system operator the Authority has also included Code amendments relating to certain aspects of the required contents of the procurement plan.

As the review process is prescribed in the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 (Code), the Authority is now consulting on a Code amendment to give effect to its proposal.

On 1 June 2012, the System Operator submitted a 2012/2013 draft procurement plan to the Authority in accordance with clause 8.43(1) of the Code. On 15 June 2012, the Authority published the 2012/2013 draft procurement plan in accordance with clause 8.44(1) of the Code.

The current procurement plan is incorporated by reference (clause 8.42) into the Code and the proposal is to replace the existing procurement plan with the version submitted by the system operator. As required under clause 8.44 of the Code, the Authority is now consulting on the draft procurement plan.

On 31 March 2012, the system operator submitted a 2012 draft policy statement to the Authority in accordance with clause 8.11(1) of the Code. On 11 April 2012, the Authority published the 2012 draft policy statement in accordance with clause 8.12(1) of the Code.

The current policy statement is incorporated by reference (clause 8.10) into the Code and the proposal is to replace the existing policy statement with the version submitted by the system operator. As required under clause 8.12 of the Code, the Authority is now consulting on the draft policy statement.

On 31 May 2011, the System Operator submitted a 2011/2012 draft procurement plan to the Authority in accordance with clause 8.43(1) of the Code. On 21 June 2011, the Authority published the 2011/2012 draft procurement plan in accordance with clause 8.44(1) of the Code.

As the current procurement plan is incorporated by reference (clause 8.42) into the Code and the proposal is to replace the existing procurement plan with the version submitted by the system operator, the Authority is publishing a formal statement of proposal for the purpose of consultation on proposed Code amendments included in the draft.

On 31 March 2010, the System Operator submitted a 2011/12 draft policy statement to the Authority in accordance with clause 8.11(1) of the Code. On 5 April 2011, the Authority published the 2011/12 draft policy statement in accordance with clause 8.12(1) of the Code.

As the current policy statement is incorporated by reference into the Code and the proposal is to replace the existing policy statement with the version submitted by the system operator, the Authority is publishing a regulatory statement for the purpose of consultation on proposed code amendments included in the draft.