Australian Energy Regulator

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is the regulator of the wholesale electricity and gas markets in Australia. It is part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and enforces the rules established by the Australian Energy Market Commission.

Australian Energy Regulator
Agency overview
Formed2005
HeadquartersMelbourne
Employees146[1]
Parent agencyAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission
Websitewww.aer.gov.au

The AER was established in July 2005. The next year all 13 bodies previously responsible for energy regulation had transferred responsibility to the AER.[2] Decisions made by the regulator are subject to appeal.

Functions

The AER's current functions are focused on regulating the natural monopoly transmission and distribution sectors of the national electricity market, monitoring the wholesale electricity market and enforcing electricity market rules. The AER's regulatory functions and powers are conferred upon it by the national electricity law and the national electricity rules.

Under the national electricity law and national electricity rules, the AER's key responsibilities at the present time include:

  • regulating the revenues of transmission network service providers by establishing revenue caps
  • regulating the revenues of distribution network service providers
  • monitoring the electricity wholesale market
  • monitoring compliance with the national electricity law, national electricity rules and national electricity regulations
  • investigating breaches or possible breaches of provisions of the national electricity law, rules and regulations
  • instituting and conducting enforcement proceedings against relevant market participants
  • establishing service standards for electricity transmission network service providers
  • establishing ring-fencing guidelines for business operations with respect to regulated transmission services
  • exempting network service providers from registration.

Staff

The AER board currently has three members who are statutory appointments, including a full-time chair. Ms Paula Conboy is the Chair of the AER. Part IIIAA of the Trade Practices Act provides that one of the members of the AER must be a commissioner of the ACCC, with Ms Cristina Cifuentes appointed in this capacity. Mr Jim Cox is the AER member selected by the States and Territories.

See also

References
  1. Australian Energy Regulator (7 October 2016). Australian Energy Regulator Annual Report 2015-16 (PDF) (Report). ISBN 9781922145635.
  2. "Australia: Energy profile". Energy Publisher. EnerPub. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.


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