Every year, we review the transmission network to assess its ability to meet forecast electricity needs for the next 10 years. This review helps us ensure that existing network assets are assessed for their enduring network requirements in a manner that is economic, safe and reliable as well as identifying solutions to meet increases in electricity demand, well in advance of when action is needed.
We publish the findings of this review in our TAPR, which is a technical document that outlines where we’ve identified the potential future need for asset reinvestment (replacement) or network augmentation. In the TAPR, and all of our planning documents, when we refer to a ‘network augmentation’ we’re talking about a solution that will increase the ability of the electricity network to carry more electricity.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released its 2020 Integrated System Plan, which sets out a roadmap for the eastern seaboard’s power system over the next two decades. As a whole-of-system plan, the ISP sets out AEMO’s focus areas for the National Electricity Market (NEM) through a period of transformational change.
View our Integrated System Plan – Queensland in focus overview for further information on what the ISP means for Queensland customers.
Highlights for the energy transition to 2040 include:
- Coal-fired generation expected to fall from 23GW to 9GW
- Small-scale Distributed Energy Resources expected to double, in some scenarios, triple
- Over 26GW of new grid-scale Variable Renewable Energy needed beyond what is already committed and anticipated to meet demand – based largely around Renewable Energy Zone developments
- 6-19GW of new dispatchable resources needed to firm up these variable renewables.
Visit AEMO’s forecasting and planning interactive map for more information.
Clause 5.18A of the National Electricity Rules require Transmission Network Service Providers to establish, maintain and publish a Register of Large Generator Connections (30MW or greater) by 30 June each year.
Powerlink’s Register of Large Generator Connections, with information on generators connecting to Powerlink’s network since December 1998:
All potential solutions to replace network assets or help increase the capacity of Queensland’s high voltage transmission network that are over a certain threshold, (currently $6 million) must be tested using the RIT-T developed by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to ensure the recommended solution will have maximum net economic benefits. Transmission network, distribution network or non-network alternatives (such as demand management or local generation) are considered as options for both reinvestment and augmentation needs.
The Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) applies to transmission augmentation investment consultations initiated from 1 August 2010 onwards and more recently, for network asset replacements, from 18 September 2017.