News & Views

Standing Council on Energy Resources (SCER) officials consider that the current arrangements for metering services in the National Electricity Market (NEM) are a barrier to opportunities from metering as an enabling technology. They have introduced a new framework now being considered by The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). This framework aims to amend Chapter 7 of the National Electricity Rules (NER) and make other consequential changes, so that:

• no party has the exclusive right to provide a particular type of meter, unless a jurisdiction prescribes otherwise,
• responsibility for coordinating metering services is separated from the roles of the Financially Responsible Market Participant or the Local Network Service Provider, by creating a new Metering Coordinator rule, and
• Customers may engage a Metering Coordinator directly.

This framework is set to promote market-driven roll out of smart meters by consumers where providers negotiate deployment and costs directly with consumers. It will also replace the term "responsible person" with "Metering Coordinator". Any person will be able to perform the role of Metering Coordinator when registered with and accredited by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Consumers will be able to directly engage a Metering Coordinator. It is intended that a rule change will make it easier for customers to successfully manage their own metering requirements.

NECA is seeking feedback from its members to provide feedback to the AEMC during its consultation period. Visit SCER for all the details regarding the rule changes.