1. This notice of a recommendation concerning the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 (“Rules”), Rule Amendment Proposal No. 135, 2008, is issued by
the Electricity Commission (“Commission”) pursuant to section 172E(2)(c) of the Electricity Act 1992 (“Act”).
2. The Act provides that, no later than 10 working days after making a recommendation to the Minister of Energy (“Minister”) concerning the Rules, the Commission must publicise the recommendation.
Recommended Amendments to the Rules
3. On 5 September 2008, the Commission recommended that Technical Code B of Schedule C3 of Part C be amended. The Commission has recommended that this amendment be made under urgency in reliance on section 172E(3) of the Act.
4. The recommended amendment to the Rules was to insert a new Rule 6.5A of Technical Code B of Schedule C3 of Part C which will relieve North Island distributors and direct connect customers, and South Island grid owners, from the obligation to have automatic under-frequency load shedding systems (“AUFLS”) in place in circumstances to be notified by the System Operator.
5. Section 172E(3) of the Act provides that section 172E(2)(b) and section 172F (which relate to consultation and assessment) do not apply if the Commission considers that it is necessary or desirable
in the public interest that the recommended Rule amendments be made urgently. Instead, consultation and an assessment must be carried out within six months of the amendments being made. In reliance on section 172E(3), no such consultation or assessment has been carried out at this stage.
6. A copy of the Commission’s recommendation is available, at no cost, on the Commission’s website at
http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/rulesandregs/recommend
Dated at Wellington this 8th day of September 2008.
For and on behalf of the Electricity Commission:
DAVID CAYGILL, Chair.