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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-03-04 Daily Xml
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Bills

Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Stand-Alone Power Systems) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 16 February 2021.)

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:20): I indicate that I am the lead speaker for the opposition on this bill. This bill has bipartisan support and so I will speak only briefly. The bill seeks to amend the National Electricity Law set out in the schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996, and the National Energy Retail Law set out in the schedule to the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011.

The intended outcome of the amendments is to ensure that the National Electricity Market extends to the electricity supplied by a regulated standalone power system. The national electricity objective extends to matters relating to the regulated standalone power system. The rule-making powers of the Australian Energy Market Commission and the functions of the Reliability Panel will extend to regulated standalone power systems and the Australian Energy Regulator's economic regulatory functions and powers will extend to regulated standalone power systems.

Put simply, the legislation before the parliament intends to allow the national laws to be amended to allow for standalone power systems to function within the National Electricity Law and the National Energy Retail Law.

A standalone power system is an electricity supply arrangement that is not physically connected to the national electricity grid. It is my understanding that technological developments mean that standalone power systems are an increasingly viable option for customers, and I am advised that in many instances, although standalone power systems may be the most efficient option, network upgrades are preferred because standalone power systems do not fall under the national electricity framework and are instead governed by inadequate jurisdictional legislative frameworks.

This legislation proposes to allow for standalone power systems to be used where economically efficient whilst maintaining appropriate consumer protections and service standards. For this reason the opposition will be supporting the bill.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:22): I thank the honourable member for her indication of support for the second reading.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

Bill taken through committee without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:24): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.

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