The Electricity Commission (Commission) is running a project to carry out a fundamental review of part D of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 (Rules).
Part D of the Rules sets out the obligations on participants in relation to metering standards. It deals with the responsibility of participants in relation to the provision of metering installations, the testing of metering installations, ensuring a metering installation complies with a set of codes of practice, and the role of the reconciliation manager in relation to metering inaccuracies.
- Project Status
- Consultation Process to Date
- Next Steps
- Impact of the Electricity Industry Bill
- Commission contact
Project Status
The Commission has consulted twice (August 08 and September 09) with the industry on the proposed issues and options for the new part D of the Rules. The submissions received in September 09, generally supported the proposed options outlined in the consultation paper. Consequently the Commission has commenced the drafting of rule changes for part D. The Commission is working towards releasing a third consultation with the industry on the new rules in April/May 2010.
Consultation Process to Date
Initial consultation on Part D: Issues and possible options
In late 2008 the Commission consulted with the industry about undertaking a fundamental review of the existing regulatory framework for metering in the New Zealand electricity industry, as contained in part D of the Rules, to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The consultation sought the industry’s feedback on the key issues identified with the rules contained in part D, options to address these key issues, and suggested guiding principles for a review of part D.
The industry’s submissions confirmed the issues and options detailed in the consultation document, and confirmed the suggested scope of the Part D Review. Consequently, the Commission established the Part D Review Project.
Second Consultation - Part D Review - Issues and Proposed Options (September 2009 Consultation)
On 23 September 2009, the Commission published the consultation paper entitled - 'Consultation on part D issues and proposed options’.
The purpose of this second consultation was to outline the proposed options to address the issues identified in the August 2008 consultation. It was intended that these options would be used to draft a proposed new part D of the Rules.
- Consultation
- Process flow diagrams for part D consultation document pdf [46 KB]
- Questions and answers 30 September 2009 pdf [65 KB]
- Submissions
- Submissions Summary pdf [1632 KB]
Next Steps
Table 1: Next steps timeline
| Key Milestone |
Target Dates |
|---|---|
| Legal drafting of new rules |
January - April 2010 |
| Industry consultation on new rules (third consultation - 5 weeks) |
April - May 2010 |
| Submission assessment |
June - July 2010 |
| Finalisation of rule drafting |
August 2010 |
| Recommendation to the Minister |
August 2010 |
| Effective date and implementation |
Subject to assessment of implementation options, (to be sought in next consultation) likely 6 - 12 months post Ministerial approval |
Impact of the Electricity Industry Bill
If the rule change process is not completed before the Electricity Industry Bill is passed, and the Electricity Industry Participation Code comes into force (currently set to be 1 October 2010), it will be up to the Electricity Authority to decide if it wishes to proceed with the part D rule change, including whether it will rely on the consultation that the Commission has already undertaken.
Commission contact
If you have any questions re the project, please contact Todd Collings on todd.collings@electricitycommission.govt.nzor 04 462 0602.
