Energy Security Board blueprint welcomed

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has welcomed the final Electricity Market Design post-2025 report handed down by the Energy Security Board (ESB).

ENA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon said the report was the product of many hours of work and significant consultation with the energy sector that must be acknowledged.

“Dr Kerry Schott and her team have done a tremendous job to produce a comprehensive roadmap for Australia’s energy future,” he said.

Mr Dillon said while there had been a lot of media attention paid to the proposed capacity mechanism, there were many other important reform proposals in the report.

“It’s noteworthy the Essential System Services work is non-controversial, it’s really positive there’s such strong and broad support for how we keep the grid stable as we transition to a renewables-based system,” he said.

“We also know there’s no renewable energy transition without transmission and we look forward to working with regulatory bodies to progress key transmission reforms.”

Mr Dillon said the integration of renewable energy technologies into the grid would be an ongoing focus of the ESB.

“Australia’s distribution networks are already on the path to becoming distribution system operators (DSOs) and we welcome the ESB’s recognition of this critical development on how local grids are managed,” he said.

“The success of DSOs is fundamental to allowing a range of new customer services to emerge, facilitated by smart, optimised and flexible local grids that deliver what customers want across the day and across the year.”

Mr Dillon said the network sector would review the ESB reports in detail and looked forward to working with the ESB, governments and customers on the many reforms proposed.