AER introduces policy-led sandboxing approach
On 13 February 2025 the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) published its “Policy-led Sandboxing Accelerating access, deployment and orchestration of distributed energy resources through the regulatory sandbox” paper – Innovative trials welcomed as AER introduces policy-led sandboxing approach | Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Regulatory sandboxing has been around for some time but has had somewhat limited […]
AEMC releases draft community engagement rules for major transmission projects
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has introduced new draft requirements aimed at enhancing community engagement in the process of approving major transmission projects, as part of an effort to accelerate the expansion of the energy grid. In particular, the proposed changes will integrate community engagement into the RIT-T process and Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) […]
queensland’s wind farm code
Queensland’s Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) for the planning assessment of wind farms is being reviewed from 7 August – 4 September. The review aims to establish clearer benchmarks for managing the impacts of wind farm developments and to boost confidence in clean energy projects among both the community and the industry. The current […]
Designing renewable energy construction contracts to support a sustainable construction market/supply chain and to achieve better mutual project outcomes.
Central to achieving these objectives is a move away from planning for failure, repeating and recycling the past and a mindset of transferring risks to contractors to embracing a framework of collaboration with a focus on managing risks, dispute avoidance, clear description of the scope of works and contract provisions that are measured, fair and […]
CONSULTATION PAPER – RINGFENCING GUIDELINE
The AER released the new transmission ringfencing guideline in March 2023. The guideline specifies certain obligations on TNSPs to ringfence their provision of monopoly prescribed transmission services from other more contestable services that the TNSP may deliver, including connection services. As part of consultation on the new ringfencing guideline, a number of stakeholders raised concerns […]
DRAFT 2023 TRANSMISSION EXPANSION OPTIONS REPORT
AEMO has published its draft 2023 Transmission Expansion Options Report, which is an important input to AEMO’s planning publications (principally, the 2024 Integrated System Plan). The pace of change (and required change) of the energy industry remains obvious, with the amount transmission build continuing to grow. The draft report acknowledges key challenges in the development […]
Review of Technical REQUIREMENTS for Connections
McCafferty Legal posted on 10 March 2023 about AEMO’s 5 yearly review of the National Electricity Rules’ technical requirements for connection in the NEM. AEMO’s draft report on proposed changes is currently open for consultation and AEMO has now published an addendum to that report addressing its proposed changes to customer (load) technical requirements in […]
Strategic Transmission Infrastructure and Landowner Compensation
A key issue that Australia (and the world) has been grappling with in the energy transition is the amount of new transmission infrastructure needing to be built to support the required generation and what is a fair, reasonable and equitable scheme for compensating landowners for the use of their land to host new transmission infrastructure. […]
Green Hydrogen – Queensland
Across Australia, the Commonwealth as well as States and Territories, are considering what is required to facilitate the production of green hydrogen (and related products). In 2022, Energy Ministers agreed changes to the National Gas Law and National Energy Retail Law to bring these products within those frameworks. Queensland is concurrently reviewing its local legislation […]
AEMO Review of Chapter 5 Technical Requirements
At least once every 5 years, AEMO must review the National Electricity Rules’ technical requirements for connection in the NEM. Yesterday, AEMO published its draft report of its most recent review for consultation. The report proposes to address 44 identified issues with the Generator and MNSP connection requirements in Chapter 5, and is open for […]