Energy Security Board - RRO Trigger Rule Change
Publication date
On 18 November 2020 the Energy Security Board (ESB) published a set of changes to the National Electricity Rules to amend the triggering of the Retailer Reliability Obligation (RRO). These Rules will align the declaration of a Forecast Reliability Gap with the new Interim Reliability Measure (0.0006% USE) that commenced in August 2020. These rules were recommended and approved by Energy Ministers in November 2020, following consultation undertaken by the ESB at the request of the former COAG Energy Council.
At its meeting on 20 March, the former COAG Energy Council (Council) considered advice from the ESB aimed at improving the reliability (resource adequacy) of the electricity system. The Council agreed to implement interim measures to deliver further reliability by establishing an out-of-market capacity reserve and amending triggering arrangements for the Retailer Reliability Obligation (RRO).
In August 2020, the ESB also sought approval from Energy Ministers to defer proposed rule changes to decouple the T-3 instrument from the T-1 instrument of the RRO whilst broader work on resource adequacy in the Post 2025 Work Program is conducted. Ministers agreed with the recommendation of the ESB and consequently the focus of the National Electricity Amendment (Retailer Reliability Obligation trigger) Rule 2020 is to align the RRO with the Interim Reliability Measure (0.0006% USE).
