The Australian Electricity Market

摘要

Australia is home to one of the most advanced markets for electricity in the OECD. There are few barriers to interstate trade and a national market for electricity exists along Australia's eastern seaboard, extending into South Australia and Tasmania. Since the last in-depth review, the Australian and state and territory governments have created a new governance framework. This new framework included the creation of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The AEMC is responsible for rule changes and market development, the AER is responsible for the economic regulation of electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks (except in Western Australia and electricity in the Northern Territory), and the AEMO is now the single electricity and gas market operator in southern and eastern Australia, and co-ordinates high-level national transmission planning. Further reforms are likely as the Australian government begins to implement the proposals set out in the 2012 Energy White Paper.