Current Work Program

In August 2009, the Government approved a reform program to strengthen regulatory oversight of the water, sewerage and electricity industries. The objectives of the work program set out by the NT Government are to generate recommendations for reform to increase the efficiency of the Power and Water Corporation, improve customer standards of service and reliability and, where possible, align the Territory market with the national electricity market.

Priority projects include:

Review of Options for Full Retail Contestability for Electricity for Northern Territory Electricity Customers

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on options for implementation of full retail contestability in the Northern Territory at least cost.

Review of Options for the Development of a Retail Price Monitoring Regime for Contestable Electricity Customers

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on an effective retail price oversight framework for contestable customers and associated reporting and disclosure arrangements.

Review of Options for Implementation of a Customer Service Incentive Scheme for Electricity Customers

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on options for implementation of a customer service incentive scheme to give electricity service providers the incentive to improve service performance.

Review of Electricity Standards of Service for the Northern Territory

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on the adequacy of current standards and recommend a course of action that will ensure electricity generation, network and retail service standards are appropriate in the Territory.

Review of Electricity System Planning, Monitoring and reporting

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on the adequacy of current system performance monitoring and reporting arrangements, and appropriate network and generation reliability standards for performance monitoring.

Review of Electricity System Planning and Market Operation Roles and Structures

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on the efficiency of system planning and market operation arrangements, including the role and structure of the system control unit of the Power and Water Corporation.

Review the Power and Water Corporation's Capital and Maintenance Programs

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on the forecast costs and assumptions underpinning Power and Water's capital works and maintenance programs; and the efficiency of the program, in terms of meeting forecast demand and service standards at least cost.

A public consultation process for this review is not proposed given the review involves assessment of Power and Water's internal planning and decision making processes.

Review the Power and Water Corporation's Asset Management Capability

Utilities Commission to review and report to the Treasurer on the adequacy of Power and Water's asset management systems.