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3 October 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

As required by the Final Methodology Decision, Power and Water submitted its ‘initial regulatory proposal’ to the Commission for the third regulatory period covering all of Power and Water’s regulated networks on 22 August 2008.

This Paper presents the Commission’s Initial Draft Determination, based on whether or not it proposes to approve Power and Water’s initial regulatory proposal and, if not, what revisions it proposes to require before a revised regulatory proposal could be approved by the Commission. This Initial Draft Determination is published in conjunction with the recommendations from the Commission's advisers and a revised Po adjustment model.

The Commission invites submissions from interested parties concerning the Initial Draft Determination.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 24 October 2008.

22 August 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

As required by the Commission’s 2009 Regulatory Reset: Final Price Control Mechanism Decision (published in May 2008), Power and Water has submitted its Initial Regulatory Proposal for the third regulatory period.

The Commission will publish its Initial Draft Determination, based on whether or not it proposes to approve the initial regulatory proposal and, if not, what revisions it proposes to require before a revised regulatory proposal could be approved by the Commission in early October, at which time the view of interested parties will be sought.

27 August 2008
Electricity Market Information

The Commission has released its annual report on the composition of the NT Electricity Market.

25 August 2008
Review of Ring-fencing Code

In May 2008, the Commission published a Proposed Draft Ring-fencing Code, in accordance with clause 7.4 of the Code.

A late submission has now been received from NT Treasury in response to the draft Ring-fencing Code. The Commission has accepted the submission following advice from NT Treasury that the lateness of the submission was due to the calling of the Territory election and caretaker conventions being in operation.

15 August 2008
Review of Ring-fencing Code

In May 2008, the Commission published a Proposed Draft Ring-fencing Code, in accordance with clause 7.4 of the Code.

A single submission was received from Power and Water:

In view of the substantive matters raised by Power and Water, it is the Commission’s intention is to release a further draft for comment in mid-October 2008.

24 July 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

As required by the Commission’s 2009 Regulatory Reset: Final Price Control Mechanism Decision (published in May 2008), the Commission has approved the network services classification proposed by Power and Water for the third regulatory period.

This is an interim approval - the final network services classification for the third regulatory period will form part of the Commission’s 2009 Regulatory Reset: Final Determination to be released in November 2008.

30 June 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

Following representations made by Power and Water, the Commission has agreed to some refinements to the Po adjustment model. The Po adjustment model version 2 incorporates these amendments.

25 June 2008
Renewal of Electricity System Control Licence

The Commission has granted an Electricity System Control Licence to the Power and Water Corporation. The System Control Licence issued in June 2005 expired on 30 June 2008.

25 June 2008
Approval of System Control Technical Code

In accordance with section 38(1) of the Electricity Reform Act and clause 27A(1) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code, the Commission has approved the System Control Technical Code.

12 June 2008
Review of Ring-fencing Code

Power and Water has requested an extension of one month to lodge its submission on the Draft Ring-fencing Code in order to have sufficient time to obtain and consider expert legal advice.

The Commission has agreed to the one month extension requested. This should be sufficient time for Power and Water to identify the main legal and regulatory issues which it considers necessary to raise with the Commission. While the Commission is unlikely to agree to further extensions, the Commission will nevertheless be ensuring that there is sufficient time to fully consider all further amendments proposed to the Code – including in response to Power and Water’s detailed consideration of the issues this time around.

While this will cause the proposed start date of 1 September 2008 for the new Code to slip, at this stage the Commission will not nominate a revised start date.

The revised closing date for submissions on the Draft Code is 25 July 2008.

28 May 2008
Approval of Network Access Tariffs 2008-09

In accordance with clause 78(3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code , the Commission has approved the network access tariffs and charges for 2008-09, effective 1 July 2008.

22 May 2008
Review of NT Electricity Ring-fencing Code

In February 2008, the Commission published a Proposed Variations Paper, in accordance with clause 7.1 of the Code, which sets out the nature of the proposed changes to the Code.

Following consideration of submissions from interested parties and its own further deliberations in consultation with its legal advisers, the Commission has decided to proceed with the proposed variations to the Code, although with some modification to the specific drafting detail set out in the earlier Consultation Paper, mainly in response to submissions received.

The Commission has now released its “Proposed Draft Code”. Submissions are invited from interested parties concerning the issues raised in this Proposed Draft Code paper and related matters.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 27 June 2008.

A ‘Delta View’ showing the substantive changes between the version of the proposed Draft Code that accompanied the Proposed Variations Paper and the Draft Code now proposed is also provided below.

While the Commission has taken all reasonable care in preparing this delta view document, it is provided for the purpose of general guidance only. Certain formatting and consequential changes are not marked up in this document. Interested parties should refer to the original Codes rather than rely on this delta view document.

22 May 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

Following the publication of its Final Decision on price control mechanism issues, the Commission has now published its Po adjustment model. The Commission’s Po adjustment model sets out the manner in which Power and Water’s efficient costs of supplying standard control services in a single regulatory year are to be calculated. As part of its regulatory proposal, Power and Water must submit to the Commission a proposed Po adjustment factor calculated using the Commission’s Po adjustment model.

Power and Water (and other stakeholders) may request corrections and modifications to the Po adjustment model issued by the Commission where this is considered necessary to achieve consistency with the applicable provisions of the National Electricity Rules or of the NT Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code. Requests for corrections or modifications must be lodged with the Commission by no later than Monday, 30 June 2008. The Commission will publish its response to each request for correction or modification within five business days of receipt of the request.

The Commission’s Po adjustment model should be used in conjunction with the Commission’s Final Decision on the price control mechanism to apply during the third regulatory period.

2 May 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

In March 2008, the Commission released its Draft Decision on price control mechanism issues. The price control mechanism involves the practical and technical detail for the administration of network price control regulation over which the Commission as regulator - in consultation with stakeholders - has a degree of discretion.

Submissions were received from three interested parties:

Following consideration of the views in submissions and in light of its own further analysis, the Commission has now published it Final Decision on price control mechanism issues.

26 March 2008
Standards of Service

The Commission has released its annual report of Power and Water’s Standards of Service performance pursuant to the Standards of Service Code.

18 March 2008
Review of NT Electricity Ring-fencing Code

In February 2008, the Commission published a Proposed Variations Paper, in accordance with clause 7.1 of the Code, which set out the nature of the proposed changes to the Code. Submissions were received from two interested parties.

7 March 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

The 2009 Reset was initiated by an Issues paper published in October 2007 which sought to identify the main issues to be dealt with in the initial broad design stage of the Reset and invited interested parties to make submissions concerning the issues raised in the Issues Paper and related matters.

Following consideration of the views in submissions and in light of its own further analysis, the Commission has now published its Draft Decision on price control mechanism issues. The price control mechanism involves the practical and technical detail for the administration of network price regulation over which the Commission as regulator - in consultation with stakeholders - has a degree of discretion.

The Commission invites submissions from interested parties concerning the draft Price Control Mechanism Decision.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 18 April 2008

6 February 2008
Review of NT Electricity Ring-fencing Code

The Commission has published a Proposed Variations Paper, in accordance with clause 7.1 of the Code, which sets out the nature of the proposed changes to the Code. Following consideration of any submissions, the Commission will then release a final Draft Code for comment.

A ‘Delta View’ showing the substantive changes between the current Code and the proposed Draft Code is also provided below.

While the Commission has taken all reasonable care in preparing this delta view document, it is provided for the purpose of general guidance only. Certain formatting and consequential changes are not marked up in this document. Interested parties should refer to the original Codes rather than rely on this delta view document.

The Commission invites interested parties to make a submission concerning the proposed variations to the Code.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 14 March 2008.

5 February 2008
Technical breach of licence

Power and Water is required to undertake an audit of all or part of the operations authorised by relevent licences in respect of each financial year and its compliance with the obligations under the relevent licence and associated regulatory instruments, which must be conducted by an independent auditor.

The Commission has noted that certain areas of non-compliance continue to be identified by the audit from year to year

Accordingly, the Commission considers Power and Water to be in technical breach of the relevant licences and will remain so until such time as each of the non compliance areas are rectified.

31 January 2008
Possible Review of Certain Regulatory Instruments

Following consideration of submissions from interested parties, the Commission confirms its earlier in-principle decision to revamp the NT electricity ring-fencing code. It has however decided to await developments before proceeding with the making of any contestable pricing guidelines.

This paper sets out in more detail the Commission’s reasoning for these decisions, and its proposed next steps.

7 January 2008
Annual Power System Review

The Commission has released its Annual Power System Review, reporting to the Minister on prospective trends in the capacity and reliability of the Territory power system.

7 January 2008
2009 Regulatory Reset

In October 2007 the Commission released an Issues Paper designed to identify the key issues within the scope of the reset and to invite submissions on these issues.

Submissions were received from three interested parties concerning the issues raised in this Paper.

12 November 2007
Possible Review of Certain Regulatory Instruments - Issues Paper

In August 2007 the Commission released an Issues paper regarding a Possible Review of Certain Regulatory Instruments for public comment.

Submissions were received from four interested parties concerning the issues raised in this Paper.

The Commission is now considering the submissions received and expects to release a paper shortly setting out some proposed variations to the Ring-fencing Code.

19 October 2007
2009 Regulatory Reset

In the lead-up to the commencement of the third regulatory control period (the five year period commencing 1 July 2009), the Code requires the Commission as regulator - in consultation with interested parties - to review the network price regulation methodology used in the second regulatory control period with a view to modifying the methodology as appropriate. The Commission is referring to this process of establishing the network price regulation methodology to apply from 1 July 2009 as the "2009 Regulatory Reset".

To facilitate this public consultation, the Commission has released the attached Issues Paper which is designed to identify the key issues within the scope of the reset and to invite submissions on these issues.

The Commission invites submissions from interested parties concerning the issues raised in this Paper and related matters. Submissions may also add or modify the list of issues, as well as put forward preferred approaches.

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 21 December 2007

18 October 2007
Annual Report 2006-07

The Commission has released its Annual Report for 2006-07.

7 September 2007
Possible Review of Certain Regulatory Instruments

The Commission has taken an in-principle decision to - over the next year or so - revamp the NT electricity ring-fencing code and develop some contestable pricing guidelines, notwithstanding regulatory policy developments that may impact on the NT's electricity market over the same period.

An Issues Paper has been released setting out the Commission's reasoning for this preferred course of action, in order to obtain stakeholder feedback. The Commission will take views received into account before deciding whether or how to proceed.

Submissions are invited from interested parties concerning the issues raised in this Paper and related matters. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 19 October 2007.

4 September 2007
Licence Exemption for Small Scale Renewable Operations

The Commission, with the approval of the Minister, has issued an exemption from the requirement for generation and retail licences for installations defined as small scale renewable energy operations.

The Commission does not consider it appropriate that such small scale renewable energy operations be subject to the same licensing requirements as apply to larger electricity entities. These operations are generally not for profit, the majority of electricity generated is for private use, the amount transferred back into the grid is very small and the risk to the power system security is small.

29 August 2007
Electricity Market Information

The Commission has released its annual report on the composition of the NT Electricity Market.

18 May 2007
Approval of Network Access Tariffs 2007-08

In accordance with clause 78(3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code , the Commission has approved the network access tariffs and charges for 2007-08, effective 1 July 2007.

26 April 2007
Contestable Pricing Guidelines

In September 2001, the Commission published Contestable Pricing Guidelines to present the Commission’s views on the types of pricing conduct that could give rise to a finding of ‘anti-competitive’ and/or ‘discriminatory’ conduct by the Commission under either the Ring-Fencing Code or the complaints provisions of the Electricity Reform Act 2000. 

In the circumstances that currently prevail in the NT electricity market, the Commission has decided that the Guidelines are in need of review. To allow time for such a review to take place, the Commission has withdrawn the Guidelines with immediate effect from 26 April 2007.

28 March 2007
Regulatory Accounts

The Commission has accepted Power and Water's Regulatory Accounts for the 2005-06 year in accordance with the Accounting Procedures under the Ring-fencing Code.

The public extracts are available below.

22 December 2006
Annual Power System Review

The Commission has released its Annual Power System Review, reporting to the Minister on prospective trends in the capacity and reliability of the Territory power system.

15 December 2006
Standards of Service

The Commission has released its first annual report of Power and Water's Standards of Service performance pursuant to the Standards of Service Code.

19 September 2006
Electricity Market Information

The Commission has released its annual report on the composition of the NT electricity market.

19 July 2006
Minimum Standards of Service

In July 2006, pursuant to clause 5 of the Northern Territory Electricity Standards of Service Code, the Commission has approved the initial minimum standards for reliability, quality and customer service submitted by Power and Water.

The Commission's approval of the Minimum Standards is subject to the certain conditions set out in the approval instrument below.

19 July 2006
Energy Loss Factors Methodology

The Commission has approved the draft methodology pursuant to clause 4(1) of the Code, on the basis that the Commission has no information before it to indicate that the Methodology does not comply with the principles set out in the Schedule 1 of the Code

19 July 2006
Water Metering Code

The Commission approved the revised Water Metering Code as the proposed changes submitted by Power and Water  do not alter the Code substantially enough to be considered inconsistent with the objects of the Act.

1 July 2006
Distribution System Extension Area Changes

The Commission has approved use of the schedule of financial contributions set out in the Power and Water Corporation’s Distribution System Extension Policy as complying with the provisions of section 86(7) of the Electricity Reform Act, subject to some conditions as set out in the approval instrument below. 

1 June 2006
Cost Allocation

In September 2005, the Commission commenced a review of the cost allocation policies and practices of Power and Water.

A summary of the Commission's conclusions is available below:

31 May 2006
Approval of Network Access Tariffs 2006-07

In accordance with clause 78(3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code, the Commission has approved the network access tariffs and charges for 2006-07, effective 1 July 2006.

12 May 2006
Approval of Accounting, Cost Allocation and Information Procedures

In accordance with clause 5 of the Northern Territory Electricity Ring-fencing Code, the Commission has extended its approval of the Accounting, Cost Allocation and Information Procedures for an indefinite period. The reasons for the Commission's decision are set out in the notice below.

19 April 2006
Energy Loss Factors Code

The Commission has released an Energy Loss Factors Code. This Code sets out the high-level principles underlying the calculation of energy loss factors. Any number of methodologies and approaches could be consistent with these principles and the Code thus allows the network provider to choose from among them in a way that makes most sense in the circumstances.

22 March 2006
Standards of Service Code - Procedural Guidelines

Pursuant to section 7 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission has issued Procedural Guidelines to set out in more detail administrative arrangements relating to the Standards of Service Code.

22 March 2006
Reversal of Contestability Guidelines

Pursuant to section 7 of the Utilities Commission Act, the Commission has issued Guidelines designed to articulate the principles that will underlie any declaration by the Commission under section 6C of the Electricity Reform (Administration) Regulations and to set out the process the Commission will follow in deciding whether to revoke a customer's contestability status.

22 February 2006
Network Pricing Principles

In accordance with clause 75(6) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code, the Commission has approved the Pricing Principles Statement for the second regulatory control period.

10 February 2006
Annual Power System Review

The Commission has released its Annual Power System Review, reporting to the Minister on prospective trends in the capacity and reliability of the Territory power system.

25 January 2006
Regulatory Accounts

The Commission has accepted Power and Water's Regulatory Accounts for the 2004-05 year in accordance with the Accounting Procedures under the Ring-fencing Code.

The public extracts are available below.

21 December 2005
Standards of Service Code

The Commission has released a  Standards of Service Code following consideration of submissions received in response to its October 2005 Draft Code.

31 October 2005
Network Pricing Principles

Pursuant to clause 75(S) of the Code, Power and Water has submitted a revised Draft Pricing Principles Statement to the Commission for approval.

While the revised Pricing Principles Statement is based on one previously approved, some changes to tariff structures have been foreshadowed.

Submissions are invited from interested parties by Friday 25 November 2005

7 October 2005
Draft Standards of Service Code

In August 2005 the Commission released a Draft Standards of Service Code for public comment. Only one submission was received from Power and Water:

The Commission is now reviewing the Draft Code, including in light of legal advice and the submission received, and expects to promulgate a final Code by the end of the year.

5 August 2005
Draft Standards of Service Code

The Commission has released a Draft Standards of Service Code following consideration of submissions received in response to its August 2004 Issues Paper.

Submissions are sought from interested parties on the Draft Code by 30 September 2005

30 June 2005
Approval of Accounting, Cost Allocation and Information Procedures

In accordance with clause 5 of the Northern Territory Electricity Ring-Fencing Code. the Commission has extended its approval of the Accounting, Cost Allocation and Information Procedures until 30 June 2006.

23 May 2005
Approval of Network Access Tariffs 2005-06

In accordance with clause 78 (3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code. the Commission has approved the network access tariffs and charges for 2005-06, effective 1 July 2005.

28 April 2005
Networks Pricing - Asset Valuation off-ramp

The Commission has released its statement of reasons supporting its Final Decision relating to asset valuation matters consequential to its Final Determination for the 2004 Regulatory Reset.

30 March 2005
Networks Pricing - Asset Valuation off-ramp

The Commission has released its Final Decision relating to asset valuation matters consequential to its Final Determination for the 2004 Regulatory Reset.

The Commission will publish a full analysis and statement of reasons for this decision in April 2005.

24 March 2005
Renewal of Electricity Retail Licence

The Commission has granted an Electricity Retail Licence to the Power and Water Corporation.

21 March 2005
Complaint Investigation

A Tranche 1 contestable customer made a complaint to the Commission pursuant to section 48(1) (b) of the Electricity Reform Act alleging that Power and Water was engaging in electricity pricing conduct contrary to the objects of the Act.

The Commission found that the complaint cannot be substantiated.

A summary of the Commission's findings is available below:

9 March 2005
Unders and Overs Account

In accordance with clause 26 of Power and Water's Network Licence, Power and Water has reported to the Commission on its recovery of regulated revenue for the 2003-04 financial year.

8 March 2005
Application for renewal of electricity retail licence

Power and Water has applied for renewal of its licence to sell electricity to customers in the Northern Territory, pursuant to section 15 of the Electricity Reform Act

Stakeholders and interested parties may make submissions on this application if they wish.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 18 March 2005

3 March 2005
Networks Pricing - Asset Valuation off-ramp

The Commission has released its Draft Decision relating to asset valuation matters consequential to its Final Determination for the 2004 Regulatory Reset.

Submissions are invited from interested parties.

The closing date for submissions is: Monday 21 March 2005

19 February 2005
Regulatory Accounts

The Commission has accepted Power and Water's Regulatory Accounts for the 2003-04 year in accordance with the Accounting Procedures under the Ring-fencing Code.

The public extracts are available below.

5 January 2005
Application for an electricity retail licence refused

The Commission has not received the assurances sought regarding the financial capacity of Paladin Torrix Energy Corporation Pty Ltd (PTEC) to operate as an electricity retailer within the requisite timeframe. Accordingly, on 4 January 2005, the Commission advised PTEC of its decision to refuse to grant the requested licence.

 

The Commission has not been able to satisfy itself, as required under section 16(2)(d) of the Electricity Reform Act 2000, that PTEC would be able to meet reasonably foreseeable obligations for the sale of electricity. The Act only permits the Commission to grant a retail licence where it is satisfied that an applicant is able to meet reasonably foreseeable obligations for the sale of electricity.

 

The Commission will only re-open PTEC’s application when and if PTEC is able to provide the Commission with the requested information about its financial capacity to operate as an electricity retailer.

 

2 January 2005
Contestable Pricing

Retail prices paid for electricity by contestable customers is a matter for negotiation between each customer and licensed retailers.

 

In the absence of a competitor to Power and Water, the Commission has provided some guidance to Power and Water regarding the extent to which certain regulatory instruments place constraints on price negotiations.

20 December 2004
Standards of Service

In November 2004, the Commission released an issues paper exploring issues surrounding the development and implementation of a standards-of-service framework in the Territory's electricity supply industry.

The Commission sought public submissions from interested parties. The submissions received can be viewed here:

20 December 2004
Annual Power System Review

The Commission has released its Annual Power System Review, reporting to the Minister on prospective trends in the capacity and reliability of the Territory's power System.

27 August 2004
Energy Loss factors Compliance Review

The Commission has now released its findings following a review of Power and Water's compliance with Schedule 13 of the Network Access Code.

Full details are confidential to the parties involved due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the information provided.

A summary of key findings can be found below.

I July 2004
Approval of Accounting and Cost Allocation Procedures

In accordance with clause 5 of the Northern Territory Electricity Ring-fencing Code, the Commission has extended is approval of the accounting and cost allocation procedures until 30 June 2005.

30 June 2004
Approval of System Control Charges

In accordance with section 39(2) of the Electricity Reform Act, the Commission has approved system control charges to apply from 1 July 2004.This approval will continue until superseded.

27May 2004
Approval of Network Access Tariffs 2004-05

In accordance with clause 78(3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code, the Commission has approved the network access tariffs and charges for 2004-05, effective 1 July 2004.

26 May 2004
Approval of Capital Contributions Principles Methods and Statements

In accordance with clause 81(3) of the Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Code, the Commission has approves Power and Water’s Capital Contributions Principles and methods Statement for use during the second regulatory control period from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2009.

The Commission is satisfied that this Statement is consistent with the principles laid down in clause 80 of the Code and is consistent with requirements elsewhere in the Code.

 

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