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Policy statement

By March each year, the System Operator is required to submit a draft policy statement to the Electricity Authority Board. This section sets out the policies and means that the System Operator will observe in complying with its principal performance obligations.

2012/13 draft policy statement

On 31 March 2011, the System Operator submitted a 2012/13 draft policy statement to the Authority in accordance with clause 8.11(1) of the Code. The Authority is publishing the 2012/13 draft policy statement in accordance with clause 8.12(1) of the Code.

The code amendments to the 2012/13 draft policy statement can be found in:

• 2012/13 draft policy statement (including DSBF variations);

After the System Operator sought comments from registered participants on a new draft policy statement, in accordance with clause 8.11(2), the key points of this year's proposed draft revolve around:

1. Changes to clarify the System Operator's management of security constraints. 
2. Changes to clarify the System Operator's actions following an under-frequency event. 
3. Changes to require the System Operator to publish its use of discretion to constrain on plant. 
4. Minor changes identified during the review process.

A consultation paper including a regulatory statement on the proposed code amendments included in the 2012/13 draft policy statement will be published by the Authority in the first week of May 2011. The formal period for submissions on the 2012/13 draft policy statement will start when the consultation paper is published in the 1st week of May 2012.

Residual issues

Annual reviews and the associated consultation process of the System Operator policy statement generated some suggestions that were unable to be accommodated in the annual review timeframe due to the nature and scope of the issues raised. A list of all the residual issues arising from the annual reviews will be updated on a regular basis.

Departures from the policy statement

Clause 8.14 of the Code states that: “The System Operator shall depart from the polices set out in a policy statement in the event that a system security situation arises and such departure is required in terms of the System Operator acting as a reasonable and prudent system operator.”

Clause 8.14 of the Code states that “When the System Operator makes any departure under because of a system security situation, the System Operator will provide a report to the EA Board setting out the circumstances of the system security situation and the actions taken to deal with it. The Board will ensure this report is published within a reasonable time of its receipt.”

This page is related to: System Operations.

Back to top Last updated on 13 April 2012