On 28 June 2021, the AEMC received a rule change request from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to amend the National Electricity Rules (NER) to:

• introduce a principles-based approach, with the intention of removing unnecessary prescription and non-essential detail from the NER and placing it in AEMO procedures
• amend the ST PASA timeframe to reflect current practices
• publish generator availability information on a per unit, or dispatchable unit identifier (DUID), level
• amend the definition of PASA availability and energy constraint.

Draft determination

On 2 December 2021, the AEMC published a more preferable draft rule to amend the ST PASA framework.

The draft rule directly links ST PASA to the objective for PASA in clause 3.7.1(b) of the NER and introduces principles that are explicitly linked to the objective to guide AEMO as it administers ST PASA. 

The draft rule provides AEMO with more flexibility to update ST PASA over time so that it remains fit for purpose, and reduces the time and costs associated with making these changes. 

The draft rule:

• Introduces a principles-based approach to ST PASA, with principles linked to the objective for PASA in clause 3.7.1 (b) of the NER.
• Requires AEMO to develop the ST PASA procedures to describe how it will administer the ST PASA process, including:

                  - how AEMO will prepare inputs for ST PASA
                  - the information AEMO will publish to meet the ST PASA objective
                  - the processes and methodologies AEMO will apply to produce the ST PASA information
                  - the period to be covered by ST PASA if it is different to a 30-minute period
                  - the information required to be submitted by each relevant registered participant.

• Requires AEMO to comply with the Rules consultation procedures when amending the ST PASA procedures, except for minor or administrative changes.
• Requires AEMO to publish generator availability information for each unit and station, or DUID.
• Changes the definitions of PASA availability and energy constraint. 

Submissions on the draft determination and draft rule are due on 10 February 2022.

Consultation paper

On 26 August 2021, the AEMC published a consultation paper seeking feedback on the proposal. The AEMC received 15 submissions, which can be found below.