The Clean Energy Council is proposing significant rule changes to give investors and developers of renewable generation and storage greater certainty when connecting to the grid.
The proposed rule changes have been submitted to the Australian Energy Market Commission to provide improved investment certainty to a process that, historically, has created delays for renewable investors and developers.
The submission addresses concerns over costly delays and complexity that have affected a significant number of projects – such as solar, wind and batteries – connecting to the grid.
The Clean Energy Council says the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and network service providers have worked constructively with industry to address these issues, however further reform is needed to provide greater certainty and clarity.
“Every Australian has a stake in getting this right and helping bring clean, affordable new power generation to the grid efficiently,” says Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton.
“Currently, some generators face open-ended delays to connection and unmanageable risks, creating a culture of uncertainty for renewable investors.
“If this adds to cost, if this causes delays, and if this discourages investment, it is Australian homes and businesses that ultimately suffer when it comes time to pay their power bills.”
The Clean Energy Council and AEMO have been working with networks and industry leaders to improve the connection process as part of the Connections Reform Initiative.
The initiative aims to achieve a consistent and predictable connections process that delivers repeatable outcomes; reduces rework and improves efficiency; and creates a collaborative working model between industry, AEMO and network service providers.
“Our aim is to make the connections process for new utility-scale renewable generation and storage work better for everyone,” says Clean Energy Council policy director of market, grid and investment Christiaan Zuur.
“It’s been a real eye-opener in terms of demonstrating a different way to make change in the National Electricity Market. Goodwill from AEMO, networks and industry has allowed us to work as equals and find common sense solutions to previously intractable problems.”