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Australia's National Electricity Market after Twenty Years

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  • Alan Rai
  • Tim Nelson

Abstract

The Hilmer reforms served electricity consumers well over the first post‐reform decade. However, three key issues emerged from the mid‐2000s: (i) a significant and largely unnecessary rise in network expenditures; (ii) emissions policy discontinuity; and (iii) a large increase in wholesale prices due to rising fuel prices and the sudden exit of generators. The consequence was a doubling in retail prices. Deficiencies in cost‐recovery mechanisms have meant price increases have disproportionately affected low‐income households. We propose three key reforms as rectification: (i) integrating emissions reduction and energy policies; (ii) boosting network capacity utilisation; and (iii) improving cost recovery mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Rai & Tim Nelson, 2020. "Australia's National Electricity Market after Twenty Years," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 53(2), pages 165-182, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecr:v:53:y:2020:i:2:p:165-182
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.12359
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Tim Nelson & Paul Simshauser & James Nelson, 2012. "Queensland solar feed-in tariffs and the merit-order effect: economic benefit, or regressive taxation and wealth transfers?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 277-301, December.
    11. G.A. Meagher & P.D. Adams & Felicity Pang, 2014. "Climate Change Mitigation, Economic Growth and the Distribution of Income," Centre of Policy Studies/IMPACT Centre Working Papers g-247, Victoria University, Centre of Policy Studies/IMPACT Centre.
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    13. Simshauser, Paul, 2016. "Distribution network prices and solar PV: Resolving rate instability and wealth transfers through demand tariffs," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 108-122.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Nicholas Gohdes & Paul Simshauser & Clevo Wilson, 2023. "Renewable investments in hybridised energy markets: optimising the CfD-merchant revenue mix," Working Papers EPRG2306, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    3. Ekaterina Bayborodina & Michael Negnevitsky & Evan Franklin & Alison Washusen, 2021. "Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Operation in Australian Electricity Spot and Contingency Reserve Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Paul Simshauser & Farhad Billimoria & Craig Rogers, 2021. "Optimising VRE plant capacity in Renewable Energy Zones," Working Papers EPRG2121, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    5. Vlado Vivoda, 2022. "Australia’s Energy Security and Statecraft in an Era of Strategic Competition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Yasir Alsaedi & Gurudeo Anand Tularam & Victor Wong, 2021. "Impact of the Nature of Energy Management and Responses to Policies Regarding Solar and Wind Pricing: A Qualitative Study of the Australian Electricity Markets," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(3), pages 191-205.
    7. Silva-Rodriguez, Lina & Sanjab, Anibal & Fumagalli, Elena & Virag, Ana & Gibescu, Madeleine, 2022. "Short term wholesale electricity market designs: A review of identified challenges and promising solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    8. Gohdes, Nicholas & Simshauser, Paul & Wilson, Clevo, 2023. "Renewable investments, hybridised markets and the energy crisis: Optimising the CfD-merchant revenue mix," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    9. Simshauser, Paul & Billimoria, Farhad & Rogers, Craig, 2022. "Optimising VRE capacity in Renewable Energy Zones," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    10. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Karim, Sitara & Rabbani, Mustafa Raza & Nepal, Rabindra & Uddin, Gazi Salah, 2022. "Market integration in the Australian National Electricity Market: Fresh evidence from asymmetric time-frequency connectedness," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    11. Simshauser, Paul, 2024. "On static vs. dynamic line ratings in renewable energy zones," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    12. Flottmann, Jonty H. & Akimov, Alexandr & Simshauser, Paul, 2022. "Firming merchant renewable generators in Australia’s National Electricity Market," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 262-276.
    13. McDonald, Paul, 2023. "Locational and market value of Renewable Energy Zones in Queensland," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 198-213.
    14. Apergis, Nicholas & Pan, Wei-Fong & Reade, James & Wang, Shixuan, 2023. "Modelling Australian electricity prices using indicator saturation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    15. Gohdes, Nicholas, 2023. "Unhedged risk in hybrid energy markets: Optimising the revenue mix of Australian solar," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1363-1380.

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