The NSW electricity plan details are now the key

The passage of the NSW Government’s Electricity Roadmap Bill marks a significant reform to the NSW electricity sector.  The next stage of consultation on the regulations and details will be critical to avoid unintended impacts on customers, especially in relation to affordability.

The AEC’s Chief Executive, Sarah McNamara, said, “Our member businesses are already driving, or supporting, the transition to lower emissions in the Australian energy sector. 

“Their expertise will be key to ensuring that the NSW plan can deliver the best outcomes for customers and achieve its ambitious goals.

“We support the Roadmap’s overall objectives of cleaner, cheaper power. 

“We do remain concerned about its impact on the functioning of an increasingly interconnected National Electricity Market and the complexity it will certainly add to investment decisions.

“We will continue to argue for a national and coordinated approach to energy policy as this is the framework most likely to deliver the best results for customers in NSW and other states and territories - namely reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply.

“The interconnected system is under pressure now more than ever to accommodate and manage jurisdictional priorities. The industry stands ready and willing to work with the NSW Government to flesh out the details of this reform and ensure they are workable. 

“It is also essential that its impacts on the Energy Security Board’s post-2025 market design are well understood and accounted for.”

About the Australian Energy Council

The Council represents 21 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in the competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. These businesses collectively generate the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia, sell gas and electricity to over 10 million homes and businesses, and are major investors in renewable energy generation.