Full Version - Essential Energy

• Electricity Industry Act 2000 No. 68 (VIC), which was
amended by the Essential Services Commission
(Amendment) Act 2004 No. 75, so that certain
prescribed matters, determinations and requirements
have consistent meanings as provided by the
Essential Services Commission Act 2001 No. 62
(VIC).
• Energy Legislation (Regulatory Reform) Act 2004 No.
25, which amends the Electricity Safety Act 1998 No.
25 (VIC), the Electricity Industry (Residual Provisions)
Act 1993 No. 130 (VIC) and the Electricity Industry
Act 2000 No. 68 and seeks to facilitate the transition
to nationally consistent regulation of energy markets.
Queensland
• Electricity Safety Regulations 2002, which was
amended by the Electrical Safety Amendment
Regulation (No.1) 2005 and inserts new provisions
relating to electrical equipment testing, excavation
and underground electrical services by employers,
self-employed persons or principal contractors and an
extension of the term of approval by up to one year
and renewal of approval.
South Australia
• Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment
Act 2004 No. 24 (SA), which established the
Australian Energy Market Commission as the entity
responsible for the rule-making and development
of the national energy sector. The act provides for
the appointment of three Commissioners and sets
out the functions and objectives of the Commission
and other matters necessary to establish the
Commission.
• Electricity (General) Regulations 1997 No. 161
(SA), which is amended by the Electricity (General)
Variation Regulations 2004/252 (SA) and requires
certain electrical installations and infrastructure
development to comply with the Australian Standard
or the Australian/New Zealand Standard. The
regulation also amends the standards, codes,
guidelines and other documents relating to aerial
powerlines.
National Electricity Code
A number of amendments were made to the National
Electricity Code that either directly or indirectly affect
Country Energy. These include –
• The Victorian, the Australian Capital Territory, New
South Wales and South Australian derogations were
amended to extend the period in which the local
network service provider is to be the responsible
person for metering installations type 5, 6 and 7
until 31 December 2006.
• Tasmania became a participating jurisdiction within
the meaning of the National Electricity Law on 29
May 2005. Provisions were made for this transition
by Tasmania into the National Electricity Market.
• As of 5 May 2005, the reserve trader sunset
provisions under the code were extended until
1 July 2006.
• The defined communications between distribution
and retail companies operating in the national
market were altered and expanded. Protocols and
mechanisms of these communications support
transactions and information requirements of full
retail competition in addition to the existing Market
Settlements and Transfers Systems commenced on
21 April 2005.
• As of 8 April 2005, the code was amended in
respect to the transmission pricing arrangements
for TransGrid and Energy Australia.
• As of 17 February 2005, the code was amended to
address inadequate arrangements for management
of power system security and efficient utilisation of
available transmission capacity in the short-term.
• The obligation to provide a mid-year update of the
Statement of Opportunities was removed and the
yearly publication date changed.
• As of 1 July 2005, the roles and functions of NECA
were replaced by the Australian Energy Market
Commission and the Australian Energy Regulator.
• As of 2 December 2004, generators below a
10MW/40GWhr a year threshold received sitespecified
loss factors provided they meet network
service providers reasonable costs in calculating
these factors.
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COUNTRY ENERGY ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005