Strengthening price discovery in the forward electricity markets
Consultation
This consultation sought feedback on proposals to amend the Electricity Industry Participation Code to require mandatory market making of the new standardised super-peak contract, extend longer dated futures to five years and reduce total baseload offer volumes.
These complementary measures are intended to increase transparency of forward prices and improve confidence in the contracts market.
Stronger price signals will better support risk management and enable entry and investment for a highly renewable electricity system which in turn will put downward pressure on prices for consumers.
The Authority consulted on proposals to strengthen trading of the super-peak product introduced in January 2025, which included continuing with voluntary trading with a conditional trigger for regulation. After considering submissions and further analysis the Authority has changed its position and believes requiring mandatory market making is necessary.
The proposals are to:
- introduce market making requirements for the standardised super-peak contract
- extend longer dated futures from three to five years
- reduce total baseload offer volumes from 12MW to 10MW.
Subject to feedback, we aim to have the amended Code and market making of the super-peak product in place by mid-2026, and the new ASX contracts trading by early 2027.
We plan to facilitate an industry-led selection process to identify an over-the-counter platform that meets our expected standards.
The process aims to ensure the selected platform supports both mandatory and voluntary participation. We intend to commence this process late in 2025, with the provider expected to be selected by mid-2026. We will provide more details closer to the time.
We thank everyone who kindly provided feedback.
Consultation paper
Q & A
We received questions from some stakeholders about this consultation.
Submissions
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2degrees8 pages
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Bold trading - emhTrade Markets15 pages
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BusinessNZ7 pages
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Contact Energy7 pages
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Electric Kiwi6 pages
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Fonterra1 page
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Genesis Energy18 pages
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Haast Energy Trading6 pages
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Icehouse Capital3 pages
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Major Electricity Users' Group4 pages
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Marex11 pages
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Mercuria New Zealand8 pages
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Mercury7 pages
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Meridian7 pages
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New Zealand Steel5 pages
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Octopus Energy5 pages
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Oji Fibre Solutions3 pages
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Pulse Energy6 pages
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Vivienne Court Trading2 pages