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Part 10 review project (metering Code)

The Authority is continuing work initiated by the Electricity Commission on the metering code contained in Part 10 of the Code, (formerly part D of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003). This project was formerly known as the Part D Review Project.

Part 10 of the Code currently sets out market participants' obligations in relation to metering standards. It deals with participants' responsibilities in relation to providing metering installations, testing metering installations, ensuring metering installations comply with a set of schedules, and the role of the Reconciliation Manager in relation to metering inaccuracies. These obligations and responsibilities are collectively described as metering Code.

• Background
• Project status
• Consultation process
• Next steps
• Authority contact

Background

The current metering Code has largely remained unchanged since 1994 when it was introduced under the MARIA industry self-governance regime. The Code contains a number of problems which this project will address. These problems can be split into two generic areas:

1. those problems relating to the drafting of the existing metering Code:
   1. the existing Code does not reflect the impact of changes in the ownership arrangements for metering installations since 1999;
   2. the Code is internally inconsistent, references out of date international standards, is in part ambiguous, and has a general lack of clarity;
   3. these problems have been raised in a number of reported breaches of the former Electricity Governance Rules 2003; and finally
   4. there is a lack of transparency with respect to specific (and timely) information to allow efficient customer switching; and
2. those problems that arise because the existing metering Code is problematic for the uptake of advanced (so called 'smart') meters. New metering and communications technology has emerged, and in some instances the existing Code acts as a barrier to the innovation opportunities presented by this new technology. In other cases, the absence of any regulatory framework leaves electricity consumers potentially exposed to serious issues such as tampering with metering information and breaches of privacy in respect of billing information.

Project status

In addition to a number of workshops and discussions with an industry reference group (IRG), the Electricity Commission consulted twice with the industry (August 2008, and September 2009) on the proposed issues and options for the new metering rules, then part D of the Rules. The submissions received in September 2009 generally supported the proposed options outlined in the consultation paper. Consequently, the Commission commenced the drafting of Rule changes for part D.

In June 2010, the Commission released a third consultation with the industry on the proposed new rules. Following consideration of submissions from the third consultation, the Electricity Authority consulted on two outstanding matters - nomination of the Metering Equipment Provider (MEP) and access to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data (fourth consultation).

After considering consultation responses on this fourth consultation, the Authority decided that further time was required to consider data access arrangements and the nomination of metering equipment providers (MEPs). To avoid further delaying finalisation of the new metering code, the Authority split off the data access and MEP nomination issues and consulted on all other parts of the Part 10 Code (fifth consultation). Code amendments were finalised in December 2011 after considering responses to the fifth consultation, and a new Part 10 of the Code and consequential amendments to Parts 1, 11 and 15 were Gazetted on 12 January 2012, to come into force on 6 June 2013. In April 2013 the effective date of the new Part 10 was extended to 29 August 2013. 

The Authority analysed the data access and MEP nomination issues and published a decisions paper in April 2012. This paper is avaliable at the bottom of this page. 

Consultation process

Table 1: Consultation process to date

Date	Consultation activity	Purpose	Outcome
28 June 2010	Third consultation paper - Part D Review, Proposed new Rules.	To present a draft set of Rules for suggestions and comments.	25 submissions were received from industry participants. Q&A
22 May 2011	Fourth consultation paper - Consultation Paper - Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Nomination of the MEP and access to data A public briefing was held on 7 June 2011.	Present and seek feedback on the Authority's preferred approach to addressing concerns relating to access to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data	29 submissions were received.
September 2011	Fifth consultation paper - Part 10 Review - Proposed amendment to the Code A forum was held on 18 October 2011.	To present revised draft Code for suggestions and comments	21 submissions were received
November 2011	Consultation on Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Nomination of the MEP and access to data A forum was held on 30 November 2011.	To get feedback from industry participants and consumers on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) developments to assist the Authority in considering, and addressing if necessary, issues relating to AMI data access and nomination of the MEP.	A decisions and reasons paper was published in April 2012. (Available below).

Next steps

Table 2: Next steps timeline

Key Milestone	Date
Effective date of Code and implementation	29 August 2013

Authority contact

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Lori Martin, the Part 10 Review project manager: lori.martin@ea.govt.nz or 04 471 8623.

This page is related to: Retail and Wholesale Market.

Back to top Last updated on 2 May 2013