The AEMC Reliability Panel has released this report that sets out the findings of the panel's annual review of market performance for the period 2017/18.

This report provides a clear picture of how market and policy decisions have affected consumer prices for the best part of a decade. It provides the transparency governments need to understand whether price changes proposed by retailers are consistent with changes in underlying costs – so price rises can be understood before they happen.

This draft report sets out the Commission’s emerging thinking and draft recommendations to enable distribution businesses to provide stand-alone power systems to their existing customers where it is economically efficient (for example, in remote locations), while maintaining appropriate consumer protections and service standards.

The Australian Energy Market Commission has made a more preferable rule that will require large electricity generators to provide at least three years’ notice of their intention to close. The provision of this information to the market will help minimise the likelihood of any price shocks that could result from sudden retirements.

This options paper sets out different ways for the Australian Energy Market Operator to procure ‘standby’ electricity reserves under the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) when a supply shortfall is forecast.