The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a draft determination proposing to authorise changes intended to increase the flexibility of the technical standards contained in the National Electricity Code.
The technical standards are designed to maintain the security and integrity of the power system by ensuring industry bodies comply with certain standards of technical expertise.
The existing arrangements prescribe a rigid set of standards to which industry participants must conform.
"This strict approach disadvantages some technologies and fails to recognise that it can be cost-effective to relax standards in some circumstances", the Commissioner responsible for energy matters, Mr John Martin said today.
"The revised technical standards regime also will foster business efficiency by eliminating unnecessary requirements, and aligning the standards more closely with national and international standards. The proposed arrangements also provide a more secure environment for investment. Industry bodies will know about their current and future obligations in relation to the technical requirements for access to the electricity grid.
"The proposed standards are more flexible and allow for consideration of the specific performance characteristics of emerging technologies such as wind generators, gas turbines and co-generation", he said.
"They would reduce barriers to entry for these players and allow industry players to avoid incurring unnecessary costs.
"The ACCC expects the benefits arising from the cost savings and the increased competition would flow through to consumers", Mr Martin said.
A copy of the draft determination is available on the ACCC's website or from Mrs Maxine Helmling on (02) 6243 1246.