Licensing
The Commission is responsible for administering the licensing regime that
applies to electricity entities, as established in the Electricity Act
1996 (Electricity Act). It is responsible for issuing, varying or
transferring licences to participants in the electricity supply industry where
those participants engage in:
- the generation of electricity
- the operation of a transmission or distribution network
- system control over a power system or
- the retailing of electricity - limited to retailers not connected to the
National Electricity Market (NEM).
Summary of licensing requirements
| Category |
Off-Grid Electricity Operations
(not
connected to the NEM) |
National Electricity Operations
(connected
to the NEM) |
| Generation of electricity |
A generation licence is required from the Commission for generators with a rated nameplate output of more than 5MW (see temporary exemption for under 5MW generators), who supply electricity for reward by means of a transmission or distribution network.
|
A generation licence is required from the Commission for generators with a rated nameplate output of more than 5MW (see temporary exemption for under 5MW generators), who supply electricity for reward by means of a transmission or distribution network. |
| Transmission or distribution of
electricity |
A transmission or distribution licence
may be required from the Commission for entities who operate whole or part of a
system for the transmission or distribution of electricity. |
A transmission or distribution licence
may be required from the Commission for entities who operate whole or part of a
system for the transmission or distribution of electricity. |
| Retailing of electricity |
A retail licence may be required from
the Commission for entities who sell electricity to customers (but are not
connected to the NEM). |
Where retailers operate in the NEM, a retail authorisation or exemption is
required from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
Refer: www.aer.gov.au
|
If you currently provide or intend to provide any of these services, you
should contact us to discuss possible licensing requirements under Part 3 of
the Electricity Act. Refer to the licence
applications page for further information.
For information on the fees applicable to your licence refer to licence
fees.