{"id":"electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005","name":"Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005","slug":"electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176509,"registerId":"wa-electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nElectricity Industry Act 2004\n\nElectricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005\n\nWestern Australia\n\nElectricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 — Preliminary\n\n1. Citation 1\n\n2. Terms used in these regulations 1\n\nPart 2 — Additional licence conditions\n\n3. Distributor’s licence 3\n\nPart 3 — Premises not attached\n\n4. Obligation to attach or connect premises 4\n\n5. Details of obligation to attach or connect 4\n\n5A. Requirements for installation of SPS 6\n\n6. Time for complying with obligation 7\n\nPart 4 — Premises already attached\n\n7. Obligation to energise premises 9\n\n8. Time for complying with obligation 9\n\nPart 5 — Decommissioning distribution systems\n\n9. Term used: commencement day 11\n\n10. Application of Part 11\n\n11. Preserved obligation to connect 11\n\n12. Notice of proposed decommissioning 12\n\n13. Price‑capping for arrangement sought or application made during 2‑year notice period 12\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 15\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nElectricity Industry Act 2004\n\nElectricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005\n\n## Part 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 1. Citation\n\nThese regulations are the *Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005*.\n\n##### 2. Terms used in these regulations\n\nIn these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears —\n\n  attach means to do all that is needed to connect premises to a distribution system except energise the premises;\n\nbusiness day means a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday;\n\n  customer means a customer who consumes not more than 160 MWh of electricity per annum;\n\ndistributor, in relation to a distribution system, means the licensee holding a distribution licence or an integrated regional licence authorising the licensee to operate the distribution system;\n\n  energise means to complete a connection by establishing, at the meter through which electricity is to be supplied to a customer’s premises, a voltage that is capable of being sustained under the expected load conditions;\n\n  metropolitan area means —\n\n(a) the region described in the Third Schedule to the *Metropolitan Region Town Planning Scheme Act 1959*;\n\n(b) the districts under the *Local Government Act 1995* named Mandurah and Murray; and\n\n(c) the townsites, as defined in the *Land Administration Act 1997* section 3(1), named —\n\n(i) Albany;\n\n(ii) Bunbury;\n\n(iii) Geraldton;\n\n(iv) Kalgoorlie;\n\n(v) Boulder;\n\n(vi) Karratha;\n\n(vii) Port Hedland; and\n\n(viii) South Hedland;\n\n  premises means premises owned or occupied by a new or existing customer;\n\n  retailer means a licensee holding —\n\n(a) a retail licence; or\n\n(b) an integrated regional licence authorising the licensee to sell electricity to customers;\n\nSPS means stand‑alone power system.\n\n[Regulation 2 amended: SL 2021/185 r. 7.]\n\n## Part 2 — Additional licence conditions\n\n##### 3. Distributor’s licence\n\nIt is a condition of the licence held by a distributor that the distributor must comply with any obligation that regulation 4 or regulation 7(1) or Part 5 imposes on the distributor.\n\n[Regulation 3 amended: SL 2021/185 r. 8.]\n\n## Part 3 — Premises not attached\n\n##### 4. Obligation to attach or connect premises\n\n(1) This regulation applies if premises are not attached to a distribution system (including a distribution system that is part of an SPS) and —\n\n(a) a retailer seeks to make arrangements with the distributor for the premises to be attached or connected; or\n\n(b) a customer applies to the distributor for the premises to be attached.\n\n(2) The distributor must, in the circumstances described in regulation 5(1), either —\n\n(a) attach or connect the premises to the system, as the case requires; or\n\n(b) provide an SPS for the supply of electricity to the premises.\n\nNote for this subregulation:\n\nThe capacity of the Electricity Networks Corporation and the Regional Power Corporation to provide an SPS may be limited by the Code: see section 105(1)(cb) of the Act.\n\n[Regulation 4 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 9.]\n\n##### 5. Details of obligation to attach or connect\n\n(1) An obligation under regulation 4 in relation to premises arises only if —\n\n(a) the distribution system would not need to be extended by more than 100 metres to enable the premises to be attached or connected to the system; and\n\n(b) each requirement, if any, that the distributor imposes under subregulation (2), (3) or (4A) has been satisfied.\n\n(1A) Subregulation (2) applies if the distributor proposes to satisfy the obligation by attaching the premises to the distribution system.\n\n(1B) Subregulation (3) applies if the distributor proposes to satisfy the obligation by connecting the premises to the distribution system.\n\n(1C) Subregulation (4A) applies if the distributor proposes to satisfy the obligation by providing an SPS for the supply of electricity to the premises.\n\n(2) Before the end of the second complete business day after arrangements are sought to be made, or the application is made, under regulation 4 for the premises to be attached to the distribution system, the distributor may impose any of the requirements described in subregulation (4)(a) or (b).\n\n(3) Before the end of the second complete business day after arrangements are sought to be made under regulation 4 for the premises to be connected to the distribution system, the distributor may impose any of the requirements described in subregulation (4).\n\n(4) The requirements that the distributor may impose are —\n\n(a) that the agreement of the owner of any land through which any extension of the distribution system that is needed would pass, or on which any part of the distribution system is to be installed, be obtained to anything affecting the land that is necessary for the connection to be established and maintained;\n\n(b) that a contract be entered into accepting liability to pay to the distributor —\n\n(i) the amount that it costs, or would cost, the distributor to make the connection in the lowest cost way that is sustainable for making connections of that kind in accordance with accepted good industry practice as it would be applied by a prudent distributor; or\n\n(ii) any greater amount that it is agreed to be paid for the distributor to make the connection in any other way;\n\n(c) that a contract be entered into with the distributor for the transportation of the electricity to be supplied through the connection.\n\n(4A) Before the end of the 5th complete business day after arrangements are sought to be made, or the application is made, under regulation 4, the distributor may impose any of the requirements described in regulation 5A.\n\n(5) If the distributor decides to satisfy the obligation under regulation 4 by attaching or connecting the premises to the distribution system, the obligation includes an obligation to extend the distribution system to a suitable connection point.\n\n(6) The capacity and standard of the extension or SPS must be adequate for the supply required and in accordance with accepted good industry practice as it would be applied by a prudent distributor.\n\n[Regulation 5 amended: SL 2021/185 r. 10.]\n\n##### 5A. Requirements for installation of SPS\n\n(1) The distributor may require that the agreement of the owner of any land on which a part of the SPS is to be installed be obtained to anything affecting the land that is necessary for the SPS to be installed and maintained.\n\n(2) The distributor may require that a contract be entered into accepting liability to pay to the distributor —\n\n(a) the amount that it would cost the distributor to provide an SPS in a way that efficiently minimises costs in accordance with accepted good industry practice as it would be applied by a prudent distributor; or\n\n(b) any greater amount that it is agreed to be paid.\n\nNote for this subregulation:\n\nA modified version of this subregulation applies in relation to an arrangement sought or an application made during any 2‑year notice period applicable in relation to the distribution system: see regulation 13.\n\n(3) The distributor may require that a contract be entered into with the distributor for the transport of the electricity to be supplied by the SPS.\n\n[Regulation 5A inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 11.]\n\n##### 6. Time for complying with obligation\n\n(1) If the distributor decides to satisfy an obligation under regulation 4 by attaching or connecting the premises to the distribution system, it is required to do so before the time limit imposed by subregulation (2).\n\n(2) The time limit for the purposes of subregulation (1) is —\n\n(a) the end of the 20th business day after the day on which the obligation arises; or\n\n(b) any later time to which the customer agrees in writing.\n\n(2A) If the distributor decides to satisfy an obligation under regulation 4 by providing an SPS for the supply of electricity to the premises, it is required to do so before the time limit imposed by subregulation (2B).\n\n(2B) The time limit for the purposes of subregulation (2A) is —\n\n(a) the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day on which the obligation arises; or\n\n(b) any later time to which the customer agrees in writing.\n\n(3) If, during any of the time that this regulation gives the distributor for complying with the obligation, any written law prevents the distributor from complying, subregulation (2) or (2B) (whichever is relevant) applies as if the obligation arises when the written law ceases to prevent the distributor from complying.\n\n[Regulation 6 amended: SL 2021/185 r. 12.]\n\n## Part 4 — Premises already attached\n\n##### 7. Obligation to energise premises\n\n(1) If —\n\n(a) premises are attached to a distribution system but are not energised;\n\n(b) a retailer applies to the distributor for the premises to be energised; and\n\n(c) a requirement, if any, that the distributor imposes under subregulation (2) has been satisfied,\n\nthe distributor must energise the premises.\n\n(2) Before the end of the time limit fixed by regulation 8 for the energisation of premises, the distributor may impose a requirement that a contract be entered into with the distributor for the transportation of the electricity to be supplied through the connection.\n\n##### 8. Time for complying with obligation\n\n(1) If a distributor is obliged under regulation 7(1) to energise premises, it is required to do so before the time limit imposed by subregulation (2).\n\n(2) The time limit under this subregulation is —\n\n(a) if the premises are within the metropolitan area —\n\n(i) the end of the first business day after the day on which the application under regulation 7(1) is received if it is received before 3 p.m. on a business day;\n\n(ii) the end of the second business day after the day on which the application under regulation 7(1) is received if it is received on a business day, but not before 3 p.m., or on a day that is not a business day;\n\n(b) if the premises are not within the metropolitan area —\n\n(i) the end of the fifth business day after the day on which the application under regulation 7(1) is received if it is received before 3 p.m. on a business day;\n\n(ii) the end of the sixth business day after the day on which the application under regulation 7(1) is received if it is received on a business day, but not before 3 p.m., or on a day that is not a business day,\n\nor any later time to which the customer agrees in writing.\n\n(3) If, during any of the time that this regulation gives the distributor for energising the premises, any written law prevents the distributor from doing so, subregulation (2) applies as if the application under regulation 7(1) were received when the written law ceases to prevent the distributor from energising the premises.\n\n## Part 5 — Decommissioning distribution systems\n\n[Heading inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n##### 9. Term used: commencement day\n\nIn this Part —\n\ncommencement day means the day on which the *Electricity Industry Regulations Amendment (Stand‑Alone Power Systems) Regulations 2021* regulation 13 comes into operation.\n\n[Regulation 9 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n##### 10. Application of Part\n\n(1) This Part applies in relation to a distribution system of an electricity corporation and not in relation to any other distribution system.\n\n(2) This Part does not apply to or in relation to a customer who consumes more than 50 MWh of electricity per annum.\n\n(3) This Part does not apply in relation to —\n\n(a) a distribution system that is part of an SPS; or\n\n(b) a distribution system or a part of a distribution system that was decommissioned before commencement day.\n\n[Regulation 10 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n##### 11. Preserved obligation to connect\n\nIf a distribution system or a part of a distribution system is decommissioned, Part 3 applies, with all necessary modifications, in relation to the distribution system or part as if it had not been decommissioned, and so applies until the end of the period of 10 years beginning on the day on which the distribution system or part was decommissioned.\n\n[Regulation 11 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n##### 12. Notice of proposed decommissioning\n\n(1) A distributor that proposes to decommission a distribution system or a part of a distribution system must notify —\n\n(a) the owner of each premises attached to the distribution system or part; and\n\n(b) the owner of each premises in relation to which the requirement in regulation 5(1)(a) is satisfied in relation to the distribution system or part.\n\n(2) The distributor must comply with subregulation (1) before decommissioning the distribution system or part, but a failure to do so does not prevent the decommissioning of the distribution system or part.\n\n(3) If a distributor does not comply with subregulation (1) in relation to premises before the day on which the distribution system or part is decommissioned, the distributor is, for the purposes of this Part, taken to have notified the owner of the premises on the day on which the distribution system or part is decommissioned.\n\n(4) A distributor that has complied with subregulation (1) in relation to premises, need not comply with the obligation again in relation to the premises and the proposal.\n\nExample for this subregulation:\n\nThere is a new owner of the premises after notification but before decommissioning occurs.\n\n[Regulation 12 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n##### 13. Price‑capping for arrangement sought or application made during 2‑year notice period\n\n(1) In this regulation —\n\n2‑year notice period, in relation to premises, means the 2‑year period beginning on the day on which the owner of the premises is notified of the proposal to decommission the part of the distribution system.\n\nNote for this definition:\n\nA 2‑year notice period may occur wholly before or wholly after decommissioning or partly before and partly after decommissioning, depending on when the owner of the premises is notified of the proposal to decommission.\n\n(2) Subregulation (3) applies in relation to an arrangement sought or an application made, as described in regulation 4(1), for premises to be connected or attached to a part of a distribution system if —\n\n(a) the distributor has notified the owner of the premises that the distributor proposes to decommission that part of, or the whole of, the distribution system (whether notification is given before, on or after commencement day); and\n\n(b) the arrangement was sought or application was made —\n\n(i) on or after commencement day; and\n\n(ii) during the 2‑year notice period for the premises.\n\n(3) Regulation 5A (including as it may apply under regulation 11) applies in relation to the arrangement sought or application made as if regulation 5A(2) were as follows:\n\n(2) The distributor may require that a contract be entered into accepting liability to pay to the distributor —\n\n(a) the lesser of —\n\n(i) the amount that it would cost the distributor to provide an SPS in a way that efficiently minimises costs in accordance with accepted good industry practice as it would be applied by a prudent distributor; and\n\n(ii) the amount that it would cost the distributor to make the connection (to the distribution system) in the lowest cost way that is sustainable for making connections of that kind in accordance with accepted good industry practice as it would be applied by a prudent distributor;\n\nor\n\n(b) any greater amount that it is agreed to be paid.\n\n(4) However, if the distributor no longer proposes to decommission that part of the distribution system, subregulation (2) (of this regulation) does not apply in relation to an arrangement sought or application made after that.\n\n[Regulation 13 inserted: SL 2021/185 r. 13.]\n\n![]()\n\nNotes\n\nThis is a compilation of the *Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005* and includes amendments made by other written laws. For provisions that have come into operation see the compilation table.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | **Published** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| *Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005* | 4 Oct 2005 p. 4459-64 | 4 Oct 2005 |\n| *Electricity Industry Regulations Amendment (Stand-Alone Power Systems) Regulations 2021* Pt. 3 | SL 2021/185 5 Nov 2021 | 6 Nov 2021 (see r. 2(c)) |\n\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\n2-year notice period 13(1)\n\nattach 2\n\nbusiness day 2\n\ncommencement day 9\n\ncustomer 2\n\ndistributor 2\n\nenergise 2\n\nmetropolitan area 2\n\npremises 2\n\nretailer 2\n\nSPS 2\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2005 regulations focused solely on traditional grid connections (attaching and energising premises to distribution systems). The 2021 amendments significantly expanded the scope to include stand-alone power systems (SPS) as an alternative connection method, added an entire Part 5 dealing with decommissioning of distribution systems, and introduced price-capping mechanisms for transitional arrangements. This transformed the instrument from a simple 'obligation to connect to the grid' into a broader 'obligation to provide electricity supply' via multiple technologies, with complex transitional protections for customers affected by network withdrawal."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested conditions for obligations to arise (regulation 5(1) requires satisfaction of 5(2), (3) or (4A) depending on connection method)","Three distinct regulatory regimes for: (a) new grid connections, (b) SPS installations, and (c) energising existing connections, each with different timeframes and requirements","Complex temporal calculations involving 'business days', '2-year notice periods', and 10-year preservation periods for decommissioned systems","Cross-references between Parts (Part 5 modifies Part 3 via regulation 11 'with all necessary modifications')","Modified subregulation text inserted by regulation 13(3) that overrides regulation 5A(2) during specific notice periods","Geographic distinctions between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas with different compliance timeframes","Multiple defined terms (11 total) including technical concepts like 'energise' and 'attach' that have specific legal meanings distinct from ordinary usage"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations force electricity distributors in Western Australia to connect new customers to the power grid (or provide them with a stand-alone power system) when certain conditions are met.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Distributors** (companies that own the power lines and infrastructure)\n- **Retailers** (companies that sell electricity to customers)\n- **Customers** using less than 160 megawatt-hours per year (basically households and small businesses)\n\n**What it does:**\n\n**For new connections (Part 3):**\n- If a retailer asks, or a customer applies, to connect premises that aren't yet connected, the distributor must either:\n  - Connect them to the grid (if the extension needed is 100 metres or less), OR\n  - Provide a **stand-alone power system (SPS)** — essentially a self-contained power system for remote properties\n- The distributor can require the customer to:\n  - Get permission from landowners if lines cross their property\n  - Pay for the connection costs\n  - Sign a contract for electricity transport\n- Time limits apply: 20 business days for grid connections, 6 months for SPS installations\n\n**For premises already wired but not live (Part 4):**\n- If premises are physically connected to the grid but not yet \"energised\" (power switched on), the distributor must activate the power within strict timeframes:\n  - **Metropolitan area:** 1-2 business days depending on when the application is received\n  - **Regional areas:** 5-6 business days\n\n**For decommissioning (Part 5):**\n- If a distributor shuts down part of the grid (decommissioning), they must give 2 years' notice to affected customers\n- During this notice period and for 10 years after decommissioning, customers retain the right to be connected (at capped prices)\n- Price caps ensure customers don't pay more for an SPS than they would have paid for a traditional grid connection\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules ensure that electricity companies can't refuse to connect customers without good reason, and they can't leave customers stranded when they shut down old infrastructure. The 2021 amendments added stand-alone power systems as an alternative to traditional poles-and-wires connections, reflecting modern technology for remote areas."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2005 regulations focused solely on the obligation to connect premises to the traditional distribution grid (poles and wires) within defined timeframes. The 2021 amendments significantly broadened the scope by: (1) adding stand-alone power systems (SPS) as an alternative to grid connection, (2) introducing a new Part 5 dealing with decommissioning of distribution systems, with preserved obligations and price-capping mechanisms, and (3) expanding the definition of 'distributor' obligations to include SPS provision. This shifts from a simple connection mandate to a framework that manages the transition away from the grid, affecting customers' rights and distributors' options."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms (10 defined terms in regulation 2 plus additional defined in later parts like 'commencement day' and '2‑year notice period')","Cross-references between Parts (e.g., regulation 5A applies differently under regulation 13)","Conditional obligations with multiple sub-clauses (see regulation 5: obligation arises only if extension ≤100m and all distributor requirements satisfied; subregulations (1A)-(1C) route to different subsections)","Exceptions to obligations (e.g., Part 5 applies only to electricity corporation systems, not to SPS or already decommissioned systems)","Time limits with different rules for metropolitan vs non-metropolitan areas, and different deadlines for attachment/connection vs energisation vs SPS","Nested modifications: regulation 13 modifies regulation 5A with a deeming provision, and regulation 11 applies Part 3 'with all necessary modifications'.","Note references to external documents like the Code (section 105(1)(cb) of the Act) and 'accepted good industry practice' — standards not defined in the regulations."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does**\n\nThis Western Australian regulation sets out the rules for getting electricity connected to your property. It applies to small customers (using up to 160 MWh per year) and covers three main situations:\n\n- **New connections**: If your property isn't already connected to the main power grid, a retailer can ask the distributor (the company running the grid) to connect you. The distributor must connect you or offer an alternative like a stand-alone power system (SPS) — essentially a local power unit — **if** the grid extension needed is less than 100 metres and you meet any reasonable conditions (for example, paying for the connection or getting landowner permissions). The connection must be done within 20 business days, or within 6 months if an SPS is provided.\n- **Reconnecting a powered-off property**: If your property is already attached to the grid but not energised (no power flowing), a retailer can ask the distributor to turn on the power. In cities this must happen within 1–2 business days; in regional areas within 5–6 business days.\n- **When the grid is being removed**: If the distributor plans to decommission part of the grid (for example, to replace it with SPS), they must notify affected property owners. Even after decommissioning, the distributor still has a duty to provide a connection (or SPS) for 10 years. During the first 2 years after notification, the cost you can be charged for an SPS is capped at the lower of the SPS cost or the cost of a standard grid connection.\n\n**Who it affects**\n- **Small electricity customers** (using up to 160 MWh/year) — mostly households and small businesses.\n- **Electricity distributors** — mainly government-owned corporations (Western Power and Horizon Power) that run the poles and wires.\n- **Retailers** — companies that sell electricity to customers.\n\n**Why it matters**\nThis law sets out your right to get electricity and the timeline distributors must follow. It also introduces stand-alone power systems as an option, with cost protections when the grid is being phased out. The rules aim to balance reliable access with the costs of extending or maintaining the grid."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text is entirely unavailable. No comparison between original intent and current provisions is possible."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text is available to analyse — the page has been removed from the WA legislation website","Cannot assess regulatory complexity, cross-references, definitions, or enforcement mechanisms without access to the actual content","Score of 1 reflects absence of analysable material, not simplicity of the underlying law"],"plain_english_summary":"**What is this?**\n\nThis entry relates to the **Electricity Industry (Obligation to Connect) Regulations 2005** — a Western Australian law that would normally govern the rules around electricity network operators being required to connect customers (homes, businesses, etc.) to the electricity grid.\n\n**The problem:** The actual text of this legislation is unavailable. The page on the Western Australian legislation website has been taken down due to system and security upgrades, meaning the content of the regulations cannot be analysed.\n\n**What would this law normally cover?**\nRegulations of this type typically set out:\n- When electricity network operators **must** connect a property to the power grid\n- The **conditions and process** for requesting a connection\n- Any **exemptions** that allow a network operator to refuse connection\n- **Timeframes** and **costs** associated with connecting\n\n**Who does it affect?**\nPotentially anyone in Western Australia seeking to connect a property to the electricity network — including homeowners, developers, and businesses.\n\n**Bottom line:** No substantive legal analysis is possible because the legislative text is not accessible. Anyone needing this information should contact the Parliamentary Counsel's Office Helpdesk or search the Western Australian legislation website directly."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005","history":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005/history","analysis":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/electricity-industry-obligation-to-connect-regulations-2005/documents"}}