The AEMC has recommended changes to the national regulatory framework that will enable distribution network businesses to increase efficiency by using standalone power systems, either directly or through a third party.
However, implementing this regulatory change is subject to states and territories opting in after changing the relevant jurisdictional regulations and legislation. This will include:
• changing the National Energy Retail Law (NERL) application in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania through regulations or laws that stop NERL being applied to the sale of electricity to customers who are connected to the national grid
• reviewing Jurisdictional regulations applied to equipment and performance standards, network reliability protection, electricity supply safety and the ability to access land required for supplying electricity.89
State and territory governments should accelerate these Jurisdictional regulation and legislation changes to enable the deployment of standalone power systems.
Combined with trial funding for low-emission standalone power systems, the changes will enable rural and remote communities throughout Australia to benefit from the energy transition.
For more information about how the low-emission transition will benefit regional and rural Australians, see the Transport chapter. It provides recommendations to ensure export and heavy industry-oriented hydrogen generation projects are developed with the capacity to serve transport users.