{"id":"electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000","name":"ELECTRICITY REFORM (ADMINISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000","slug":"electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176788,"registerId":"nt-electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"ELECTRICITY REFORM (ADMINISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nELECTRICITY REFORM (ADMINISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000\nAs in force at 1 July 2024\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n3A Exclusion from Act of certain types of electricity generation ............ 2\n3B Exclusion from Act of certain sales of electricity .............................. 3\n3C Meaning of electricity supply industry .............................................. 3\nPart 1A Utilities Commission\n3D Additional functions of Utilities Commission .................................... 3\nPart 2 Licences\n3E Operations for which licence is required .......................................... 4\n3F Exemption for system controller to operate wholesale market......... 4\n4 Licence fees and returns ................................................................. 4\n4A Licence conditions – classification of dedicated connection\nassets .............................................................................................. 5\n5A System control technical code ......................................................... 5\nPart 3 Customers\n13 Partial contracting prohibited ........................................................... 6\nPart 4 On-suppliers\n14 Exemptions for on-suppliers ............................................................ 7\n15 Charges from on-suppliers to receivers ........................................... 7\nPart 4A Electricity pricing orders\n16 Prescribed class of customers ......................................................... 8\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\n17 Matters for inclusion in Retail Code ................................................. 8\n18 Retailer of last resort arrangements ................................................ 9\n19 Terms and conditions of retailer of last resort deemed\ncontracts ........................................................................................ 11\n20 Notification requirements ............................................................... 11\n21 Cost recovery ................................................................................ 11\n\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 ii\n21A Information requirements ............................................................... 12\nPart 6 Standard terms and conditions\n22 Prescribed class of customers ....................................................... 13\nPart 7 Dedicated connection assets – exemptions\n23 Requirements relating to applications............................................ 13\n24 Classification of dedicated connection assets ............................... 14\nPart 8 Network technical codes\n25 Preparation of network technical codes ......................................... 14\nSchedule 2 Operational and technical requirements for\naccess\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 1 July 2024\n____________________\nELECTRICITY REFORM (ADMINISTRATION) REGULATIONS 2000\nRegulations under the Electricity Reform Act 2000\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Electricity Reform\n(Administration) Regulations 2000.\n2 Definitions\n(1) In these Regulations:\nconnection point, see Chapter 10 of the National Electricity (NT)\nRules.\nconsumption, for a site during a consumption period, means the\nelectricity, decided by the relevant entity, that was:\n(a) consumed for the site during the period; or\n(b) charged by an on-supplier for the site during the period.\nconsumption period means any continuous period of one year\nbeginning on or after 1 July 1998.\nestimated consumption, for the site during a future one-year\nperiod, means the electricity the relevant entity selling electricity to\na customer estimates will be:\n(a) consumed for the site during the period; or\n(b) charged by an on-supplier for the site during the period.\nmeter, see Chapter 10 of the National Electricity (NT) Rules.on-\nsupplier means a person who:\n(a) is the owner or occupier of premises or has the right to use\npremises; and\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 2\n(b) supplies and sells electricity for use in the premises.\noperate a wholesale market means to operate or administer a\nwholesale exchange for electricity in relation to a power system.\npremises include a caravan park, exhibition centre, hostel, hotel,\nindustrial park, lodging house, marina, market arcade, motel,\nshopping centre and serviced apartments.\nreceiver means a person who owns, occupies or has the right to\nuse premises and to whom electricity is supplied and sold by an\non-supplier for the premises.\nrelevant entity means the electricity entity selling electricity to a\ncustomer under an electricity supply contract.\nsingle site means:\n(a) a site; or\n(b) premises or a lot of land or adjoining premises or lots of land:\n(i) that are owned or occupied by a single customer; and\n(ii) that are supplied through more than one connection\npoint, whether or not the electricity passes through\nfacilities owned or occupied by any other person after\nleaving that point and before it is supplied; and\n(iii) in respect of which the customer elects to have treated\nas a single site.\nsite means the metered connection point through which a customer\nhas or seeks electricity supply under an electricity supply contract.\n3A Exclusion from Act of certain types of electricity generation\n(1) For the definition of generation in section 4(1) of the Act, the\noperation by a person of electricity generating plant that is not\nconnected to electricity infrastructure owned or operated by an\nelectricity entity is declared not to be generation of electricity if the\nelectricity is generated for the person's own use.\n\nPart 1A Utilities Commission\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 3\n(2) For the definition of generation in section 4(1) of the Act, the\noperation by a person of electricity generating plant that is not\nconnected to electricity infrastructure owned or operated by an\nelectricity entity is declared not to be generation of electricity if:\n(a) the electricity is generated for supply to the owner or occupier\nof an area of land that is in the vicinity of the land on which the\ngenerating plant is situated; and\n(b) electricity is not available from an electricity entity for supply to\nthe area of land to which the electricity is supplied by the\nperson operating the electricity generating plant.\n3B Exclusion from Act of certain sales of electricity\nFor the definition of selling in section 4(1) of the Act, the trading of\nelectricity by a person to a customer is prescribed not to be selling\nof electricity if:\n(a) electricity is not available for supply to the customer by an\nelectricity entity; and\n(b) the amount supplied to all customers by the person does not\ntotal more than 160 megawatt hours in each calendar year.\n3C Meaning of electricity supply industry\nFor the definition electricity supply industry in section 4(1) of the\nAct, operating a wholesale market is prescribed as a kind of\noperation that is part of the electricity supply industry.\nPart 1A Utilities Commission\n3D Additional functions of Utilities Commission\nFor section 6(c) of the Act, the Utilities Commission has the\nfollowing functions:\n(a) to oversee the exercise of system control of power systems\nand the operation of wholesale markets;\n(b) to monitor and enforce compliance by electricity entities:\n(i) with Part 3 of the Act; and\n(ii) with technical codes in force under the Act;\n(c) to facilitate the resolution of disputes between electricity\nentities relating to matters regulated under Part 3 of the Act.\n\nPart 2 Licences\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 4\nPart 2 Licences\n3E Operations for which licence is required\nFor section 14(3)(e) of the Act, operating a wholesale market is\nprescribed as an operation for which a licence is required.\n3F Exemption for system controller to operate wholesale market\n(1) The system controller for the Darwin-Katherine power system:\n(a) is exempt from the requirement under section 14(1) of the Act\nto hold a licence in relation to the operation of a wholesale\nmarket in relation to that power system; and\n(b) for the purposes of the Act is to be treated as an electricity\nentity that is authorised to operate a wholesale market in\nrelation to that power system as if its system control licence\nwere also a licence authorising it to operate a wholesale\nmarket in relation to that power system.\n(2) Despite subregulation (1), the system controller for the\nDarwin-Katherine power system must comply with the provisions of\nthe Retail Code expressed to be applicable to it in respect of its role\noperating a wholesale market.\n4 Licence fees and returns\n(1) For the purposes of section 19(2)(a) of the Act, the prescribed date\nis 1 August in each year of the licence.\n(2) For the purposes of section 19(2)(b) of the Act, the prescribed date\nis 14 days after the date the annual return is lodged under\nsection 19(2)(a) of the Act.\n(3) For the purposes of section 19(5) of the Act, the maximum penalty:\n(a) for failing to lodge an annual return – is 85 penalty units and\n4 penalty units for each day after the date the annual return\nwas required to be lodged during until the day the annual\nreturn is lodged; and\n(b) for failing to pay an annual licence fee or an instalment of an\nannual licence fee – is 10% of the amount outstanding\ncalculated daily on a cumulated basis from the date the fee\nwas required to be paid under section 19 of the Act until the\ndate the fee is paid.\n\nPart 2 Licences\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 5\n4A Licence conditions – classification of dedicated connection\nassets\n(1) If a licence authorises the ownership or operation of a dedicated\nconnection asset, the dedicated connection asset must be\nclassified as:\n(a) a large dedicated connection asset; or\n(b) a small dedicated connection asset.\n(2) For subregulation (1):\n(a) an application for a licence that authorises the ownership or\noperation of a dedicated connection asset, or an application\nfor the variation of a licence to add a dedicated connection\nasset to the licence, must state whether the dedicated\nconnection asset is:\n(i) a large dedicated connection asset; or\n(ii) a small dedicated connection asset; and\n(b) the applicant must provide to the Utilities Commission any\ninformation the Utilities Commission may reasonably require\nto ensure that the dedicated connection asset is appropriately\nclassified; and\n(c) for the purpose of verifying the appropriate classification of a\ndedicated connection asset, the Utilities Commission may\nseek the advice of the system controller for the relevant\ntransmission network; and\n(d) a system controller whose advice is sought under\nparagraph (c) must provide that advice within a period\nspecified by the Utilities Commission in the request.\n5A System control technical code\n(1) A System Control Technical Code may make provision for one or\nmore of the following:\n(a) operating protocols;\n(b) system security and dispatch;\n(c) disconnection;\n\nPart 3 Customers\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 6\n(d) any other matter relevant to the reliability, safety or security of\nthe system or the monitoring or control of the operation of the\nsystem.\n(2) A System Control Technical Code for the Darwin-Katherine power\nsystem may also make provision for the operation of a wholesale\nmarket in relation to that system.\n(3) The Utilities Commission must not approve a System Control\nTechnical Code, or any amendment to a System Control Technical\nCode, made by the system controller unless satisfied that the\nsystem controller has consulted with all electricity entities that are\nengaged in the operation of, contribute electricity to, or take\nelectricity from, the power system.\n(3A) Before the Minister makes or amends a System Control Technical\nCode, the Minister must consult, or be satisfied that sufficient\nconsultation has occurred, with all electricity entities that are\nengaged in the operation of, contribute electricity to, or take\nelectricity from, the power system, including:\n(a) the Utilities Commission; and\n(b) the system controller.\n(3B) Before a person prescribed by regulation makes or amends a\nSystem Control Technical Code, the person must consult with all\nelectricity entities that are engaged in the operation of, contribute\nelectricity to, or take electricity from, the power system, including:\n(a) the Utilities Commission; and\n(b) the system controller.\n(4) In this regulation:\ndisconnect includes to operate switching equipment so as to\nprevent the transfer of electricity through a point at which electricity\nis transferred to or from the power system.\nPart 3 Customers\n13 Partial contracting prohibited\nA customer must not have electricity supplied to a single site by\nmore than one relevant entity.\nMaximum penalty: 40 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 On-suppliers\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 7\nPart 4 On-suppliers\n14 Exemptions for on-suppliers\n(1) An on-supplier is exempted from sections 14(1) and 28 of the Act.\n(2) The exemption under subregulation (1) is subject to the condition\nthat the on-supplier complies with regulation 15(2) and (3)\n15 Charges from on-suppliers to receivers\n(1) An on-supplier may charge a receiver for electricity supplied or sold\nto the receiver by the on-supplier in a way decided by the on-\nsupplier.\n(2) However, the on-supplier must comply with subregulations (3) to (6)\nif the on-supplier charges the receiver on the basis of the receiver's\nconsumption of electricity during a period as measured by a meter.\n(3) The charge must be equal to, or worked out on the same or a\nsimilar basis as:\n(a) if the on-supplier amount is equal to or less than the regulated\namount – the regulated amount; or\n(b) otherwise – the on-supplier amount.\n(4) In addition, the amount charged under subregulation (2) for each\nreceiver in the premises must be calculated in the same way.\n(5) The on-supplier amount is so much of the amount charged for the\nsupply of electricity to the on-supplier for that period as is\nattributable to the receiver's consumption mentioned in\nsubregulation (2).\n(6) The regulated amount is the amount the receiver would have been\ncharged for that consumption if:\n(a) the receiver had been a custoner of the electricity entity; and\n(b) the electricity had been supplied by the electricity entity to the\nreceiver; and\n(c) the standard rates of fix charge and usage charge had applied\nto the receiver.\n(7) For section 6(c) of the Act, the Utilities Commission may, by writing,\nmake guidelines for the administration of this regulation.\n\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 8\n(8) The guidelines must not have effect before the Utilities Commission\npublishes a Gazette notice for the making of the guidelines.\nPart 4A Electricity pricing orders\n16 Prescribed class of customers\n(1) This regulation prescribes classes of customers for section 44(1) of\nthe Act.\n(2) A customer whose annual consumption level, measured in\naccordance with either of the following, is less than 750 megawatt\nhours per annum is a customer of a prescribed class:\n(a) the customer's actual total consumption at a single site during\nany consumption period;\n(b) in the case of a customer who scales down or expands its\noperations or energy consumption at a single site – the\ncustomer's estimated consumption for the subsequent year at\nthe site, taking the following into account:\n(i) past electricity consumption;\n(ii) the electricity consumption level of plant and equipment\nto be powered at the site;\n(iii) the operations for which electricity is required to be\nsupplied at the site;\n(iv) any other relevant factor.\nExamples for subregulation (1)(b)\n1 Addition of a new building.\n2 Retirement of plant or installation of new, more efficient plant.\n3 Installation of solar panels.\n(3) A customer who was a contestable customer prescribed by\nregulation 13A(d), as in force immediately before the\ncommencement of this regulation, is a customer of a prescribed\nclass.\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\n17 Matters for inclusion in Retail Code\nFor section 44B(2) of the Act, the following matters are prescribed:\n\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 9\n(a) credit support arrangements;\n(b) billing;\n(c) metering;\n(d) service order arrangements;\n(e) the needs of the following types of retail customers:\n(i) customers requiring life support equipment;\n(ii) residential customers affected by family violence;\n(iii) residential customers experiencing payment difficulties\ndue to hardship;\n(f) a requirement for an electricity retailer or a network provider to\ninform customers of the contact details of a relevant\ncomplaints handling body;\n(g) the transfer of customers between electricity retailers;\n(h) dispute resolution between:\n(i) electricity entities; and\n(ii) electricity entities and customers.\nNote for paragraph (d)\nA service order arrangement is a business-to-business service, such as a\nrequest for customer disconnection, customer reconnection, special meter read\nor installation of a new meter.\n18 Retailer of last resort arrangements\n(1) Subregulations (2) to (7) apply if:\n(a) the Utilities Commission appoints the retailer of last resort\nunder section 44D(1) of the Act to sell electricity to customers\nof the failed retailer; and\n(b) the transfer date has occurred.\n(2) Any complaint or dispute between the failed retailer and the\ncustomer (whether the complaint or dispute arose before, on or\nafter the transfer date) may be dealt with between the failed retailer\nand the customer as if the RoLR transfer event and the transfer of\nthe customer had not occurred.\n\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 10\n(3) The failed retailer or its insolvency official must take steps to\ncancel, with effect commencing on the transfer date, any direct\ndebit authorisations (including any Centrepay deductions) that are\nin place for the customer.\nNote for subregulation (3)\nCancellation of a direct debit authorisation does not affect the customer's\nobligation to pay for any electricity consumed before the transfer date.\n(4) If the customer has paid amounts to the failed retailer in advance\ntowards the customer's electricity bill, the failed retailer or its\ninsolvency official must:\n(a) apply those amounts to the payment of the customer's\naccount, but only insofar as that payment is for electricity\nconsumed before the transfer date; and\n(b) pay the balance to the customer.\n(5) If the customer has paid the failed retailer in whole or in part for a\nservice order under the Retail Code and the order has not been\ncompleted before the transfer date:\n(a) the retailer of last resort must:\n(i) place the order with the network provider; or\n(ii) if the order has already been placed – take steps to\nensure its completion; and\n(b) the customer is not liable to pay for the order except to the\nextent that the customer had not already paid on or before the\ntransfer date.\n(6) If a payment plan is in force between the customer and the failed\nretailer, the failed retailer or its insolvency official or assignee must\ncontinue to comply with that plan to the extent that it provides for\nthe payment by instalments of any arrears that are outstanding on\nthe transfer date.\n(7) If the customer is on a prepayment meter, a payment equal to the\nvalue of any credit remaining in the prepayment meter account\nimmediately before the transfer date must be made by the failed\nretailer or its insolvency official to the customer, without any\ndeduction.\n\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 11\n19 Terms and conditions of retailer of last resort deemed\ncontracts\n(1) For section 44F(c) of the Act:\n(a) the retailer of last resort must submit its proposed terms and\nconditions (the deemed contracts) of the contracts taken,\nunder section 44F(a) of the Act, to be in place to the Utilities\nCommission for approval in accordance with the timing set out\nin the Retail Code; and\n(b) the Utilities Commission may approve or refuse to approve\nthose terms and conditions.\n(2) If the retailer of last resort does not submit proposed terms and\nconditions in accordance with subregulation (1) or the Utilities\nCommission refuses to approve submitted terms and conditions,\nthe Utilities Commission must determine the terms and conditions\nthat apply to the deemed contracts.\n(3) In this regulation:\nterms and conditions do not include tariffs.\n20 Notification requirements\nThe retailer of last resort or, if the Utilities Commission determines\nthe terms and conditions under regulation 19, the Utilities\nCommission, must give notice of the approved terms and conditions\nin the Gazette.\n21 Cost recovery\nFor section 44G(4) of the Act, the retailer of last resort must pay the\nfollowing costs incurred by an insolvency official of a failed retailer\nin accordance with the scheme established under section 44G(1) of\nthe Act:\n(a) an amount sufficient to indemnify the insolvency official for the\nofficial's reasonable costs of complying with applicable\nrequirements of the retailer of last resort arrangements if a\nRoLR transfer event occurs;\n(b) if a dispute about costs arises – the amount that would be\npayable if the insolvency official had been a liquidator under\nthe Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).\n\nPart 4B Retail supply of electricity\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 12\n21A Information requirements\n(1) For section 44H(1) of the Act, the following information in respect of\neach of the failed retailer's customers is prescribed:\n(a) name and contact details, including billing address;\n(b) supply addresses for the electricity supply;\n(c) meter identifiers;\n(d) the network tariff code or codes of the distributor;\n(e) details of the customer's actual consumption of energy in one\nor more specified periods;\n(f) identification of whether the customer is a hardship customer;\n(g) details of any premises that is registered as having life support\nequipment;\n(h) identification of whether the customer is in receipt of a tariff\npayment, credit or other benefit under a feed-in arrangement;\n(i) any customer classification details;\n(j) details of any pension, health or social security payment,\nrebate, benefit or concession to which the customer is entitled;\n(k) any direct debit arrangements or Centrepay arrangements\nbetween the customer and the failed retailer.\n(2) For subregulation (1), the information may include the following:\n(a) both historic and current information;\n(b) information that is or may be derived from other information in\nthe possession or control of the failed retailer.\n(3) For section 44H(2) of the Act, the requirements in relation to the\ninformation that may be required and specified by written notice are\nthe following:\n(a) the information must be provided by the date specified in the\nnotice;\n(b) the information must be provided if an event specified in the\nnotice occurs or a state of affairs specified in the notice exists;\n\nPart 7 Dedicated connection assets – exemptions\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 13\n(c) the information must be provided in accordance with any\ndocument, code, standard, rule, specification or method\nformulated, issued or published as determined by the Utilities\nCommission, whether:\n(i) wholly or partially, or as amended by the notice; or\n(ii) formulated, issued or published at the time the notice is\nserved or at any time before the notice is served; or\n(iii) in force as at a particular date or as amended from time\nto time;\n(d) the information must be verified by statutory declaration by a\nperson authorised by the failed retailer.\nPart 6 Standard terms and conditions\n22 Prescribed class of customers\nFor section 91(1) of the Act, customers of a prescribed class are\ncustomers:\n(a) to whom an electricity entity sells electricity; and\n(b) who have not negotiated a written agreement with the entity\nrelating to the sale of the electricity.\nPart 7 Dedicated connection assets – exemptions\n23 Requirements relating to applications\nFor section 87A(2) of the Act, an application must:\n(a) specify each dedicated connection asset to which the\napplication relates; and\n(b) state, in relation to each dedicated connection asset, whether\nthe dedicated connection asset is:\n(i) a large dedicated connection asset; or\n(ii) a small dedicated connection asset.\n\nPart 8 Network technical codes\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 14\n24 Classification of dedicated connection assets\n(1) For regulation 23(b), the applicant must provide to the Utilities\nCommission any information the Utilities Commission may\nreasonably require to ensure that the dedicated connection asset is\nappropriately classified.\n(2) For the purpose of verifying the appropriate classification of a\ndedicated connection asset, the Utilities Commission may seek the\nadvice of the system controller for the relevant transmission\nnetwork.\n(3) A system controller whose advice is sought under subregulation (2)\nmust provide that advice within a period specified by the Utilities\nCommission in the request.\n(4) The Utilities Commission must, when granting an exemption, state\nin the exemption whether the dedicated connection asset is\nclassified as:\n(a) a large dedicated connection asset; or\n(b) a small dedicated connection asset.\nPart 8 Network technical codes\n25 Preparation of network technical codes\n(1) This regulation applies to the following electricity networks:\n(a) the Darwin-Katherine electricity system operated by Power\nand Water Corporation;\n(b) the Alice Springs electricity system operated by Power and\nWater Corporation; and\n(c) the Tennant Creek electricity system operated by Power and\nWater Corporation.\n(4) A Network Technical Code must cover the requirements set out in\nSchedule 2, other than:\n(a) matters dealt with in the National Electricity (NT) Rules; or\n(b) matters appropriately dealt with in the System Control\nTechnical Code.\n\nPart 8 Network technical codes\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 15\n(5) Before making or amending a Network Technical Code, a network\nprovider must:\n(a) consult the Utilities Commission; and\n(b) alter the proposed Network Technical Code or amendments if\nrequired by the Utilities Commission.\n(6) Before amending a Network Technical Code in a material way, a\nnetwork provider must:\n(a) publish a draft of a proposed amendment on the network\nprovider's website; and\n(b) invite submissions from interested parties within a reasonable\ntime specified by the network provider; and\n(c) consider any submissions from interested parties provided\nunder paragraph (b).\n(7) Before the Minister makes or amends a Network Technical Code,\nthe Minister must consult, or be satisfied that sufficient consultation\nhas occurred, with all electricity entities that are engaged in the\noperation of, contribute electricity to, or take electricity from, the\npower system, including:\n(a) the Utilities Commission; and\n(b) the network provider.\n(7A) Before a person prescribed by regulation makes or amends a\nNetwork Technical Code, the person must consult with all electricity\nentities that are engaged in the operation of, contribute electricity\nto, or take electricity from, the power system, including:\n(a) the Utilities Commission; and\n(b) the network provider.\n(8) To the extent that a provision of a Network Technical Code is\ninconsistent with a provision of the National Electricity (NT) Rules,\nthe provision of the National Electricity (NT) Rules will prevail (and\nthe provision of the Network Technical Code will not have effect to\nthe extent of the inconsistency).\n\nSchedule 2 Operational and technical requirements for access\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 16\nSchedule 2 Operational and technical requirements for\naccess\nregulation 25\n1 Network Technical Code\nThe Network Technical Code for a network must contain the\nfollowing:\n(a) performance standards in respect of service quality\nparameters in relation to the electricity network;\n(b) the technical requirements that apply to the design or\noperation of plant or equipment connected to the electricity\nnetwork;\n(c) requirements relating to the operation of the electricity network\n(including the operation of the network in emergency\nsituations);\n(d) obligations to test plant or equipment in order to demonstrate\ncompliance with the Network Technical Code;\n(e) procedures that apply if the network provider believes that an\nitem of plant or equipment does not comply with the\nrequirements of the Network Technical Code;\n(f) requirements relating to the inspection of plant or equipment\nconnected to the electricity network;\n(g) requirements that relate to control and protection settings for\nplant or equipment connected to the electricity network;\n(h) procedures that apply in the case of commissioning and\ntesting of new plant or equipment connected to the electricity\nnetwork;\n(i) procedures that apply to the disconnection of plant or\nequipment from the electricity network;\n(j) procedures relating to the operation of generating units\nconnected to the electricity network (including the giving of\ndispatch instructions and compliance with those instructions);\n(k) metering requirements in relation to connections;\n\nSchedule 2 Operational and technical requirements for access\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 17\n(l) the information required to be provided to the access provider\nin relation to the operation of plant or equipment connected to\nthe electricity network at a connection and how and when that\ninformation is to be provided.\n2 Network planning criteria\nThe network planning criteria for a network must be consistent with\nthe Network Technical Code for the network and must contain the\nfollowing:\n(a) contingency criteria;\n(b) steady-state criteria including:\n(i) voltage limits; and\n(ii) thermal rating criteria; and\n(iii) fault rating criteria;\n(c) stability criteria including:\n(i) transient stability criteria; and\n(ii) voltage stability criteria;\n(d) quality of supply criteria including:\n(i) voltage fluctuation criteria; and\n(ii) harmonic voltage criteria; and\n(iii) harmonic current criteria; and\n(iv) voltage unbalance criteria; and\n(v) electro-magnetic interference criteria;\n(e) construction standards criteria;\n(f) environmental criteria.\n\nENDNOTES\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 18\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY Key to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations (SL No. 15, 2000)\nNotified 31 March 2000\nCommenced 1 April 2000\nAmendments of Electricity Reform (Administration) Regulations (SL No. 29, 2001)\nNotified 4 June 2001\nCommenced 4 June 2001\nAmendments of Electricity Reform (Administration) Regulations (SL No. 9, 2003)\nNotified 28 February 2003\nCommenced 28 February 2003\nAmendment of Electricity Reform (Administration) Regulations (SL No. 7, 2004)\nNotified 29 March 2004\nCommenced 29 March 2004\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2005 (SL No. 35, 2005)\nNotified 19 October 2005\nCommenced 19 October 2005\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SL No. 4, 2007)\nNotified 21 March 2007\nCommenced 21 March 2007\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SL No. 1, 2008)\nNotified 6 February 2008\nCommenced 6 February 2008\nOmbudsman Act 2009 (Act No. 5, 2009)\nAssent date 12 March 2009\nCommenced 1 July 2009 (Gaz G21, 27 May 2009, p 5)\n\nENDNOTES\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 19\nPenalties Amendment (Justice and Treasury Legislation) Act 2010 (Act No. 38, 2010)\nAssent date 18 December 2010\nCommenced 1 February 2011 (Gaz S6, 1 February 2011)\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 10, 2012)\nNotified 14 March 2012\nCommenced 14 March 2012\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2012 (SL No. 41,\n2012)\nNotified 14 December 2012\nCommenced 14 December 2012\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment Regulations 2015 (SL No. 2, 2015)\nNotified 24 April 2015\nCommenced 24 April 2015\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Amendment (Prescribed Class of Customers)\nRegulations 2015 (SL No. 9, 2015)\nNotified 20 May 2015\nCommenced 20 May 2015\nNational Electricity (Northern Territory) (National Uniform Legislation) Consequential\nAmendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 16, 2019)\nNotified 1 July 2019\nCommenced 1 July 2019 (r 2)\nElectricity Reform Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 23, 2021)\nAssent date 18 November 2021\nCommenced 19 November 2021 (s 2)\nElectrical Safety Act 2022 (Act No. 3, 2022)\nAssent date 14 April 2022\nCommenced 1 July 2024 (s 2(2))\nElectricity Legislation Amendment Regulations 2024 (SL No. 13, 2024)\nDate made 27 June 2024\nCommenced 1 July 2024 (r 2, s 2(2) Electricity Legislation Amendment\nAct 2023 (Act No. 26, 2023) and Gaz S54, 26 June 2024)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr 1 and 20.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 2 amd No. 2, 2015, r 3; No. 13, 2024, r 4\nr 3 rep No. 13, 2024, r 5\nrr 3A – 3B ins No. 35, 2005, r 3\nr 3C ins No. 2, 2015, r 4\npt 1A hdg ins No. 2, 2015, r 4\nr 3D ins No. 2, 2015, r 4\namd Act No. 23, 2021, s 10; No. 13, 2024, r 12\nr 3E ins No. 2, 2015, r 5\n\nENDNOTES\nElectricity Reform (Administration) Regulations 2000 20\nr 3F ins No. 2, 2015, r 5\namd No. 13, 2024, r 6\nr 4 amd Act No. 38, 2010, s 4\nr 4A ins No. 16, 2019, r 19\nr 5 amd No. 10, 2012, r 3; No. 41, 2012, r 3\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 7\nr 5A ins No. 2, 2015, r 6\namd Act No. 23, 2021, s 11\npt 3 hdg sub No. 13, 2024, r 8\nr 6 amd No. 29, 2001, r 1; No. 9, 2003, r 2; No. 35, 2005, r 4; No. 16, 2019, r 20;\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nr 6A ins No. 35, 2005, r 5\namd No. 16, 2019, r 21\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nrr 6B – 6C ins No. 35, 2005, r 5\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nr 7 amd No. 16, 2019, r 22\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nrr 8 – 12 rep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nr 12A ins No. 35, 2005, r 6\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 9\nr 13 amd Act No. 38, 2010, s 4\npt 4A hdg ins No. 7, 2004\nsub No. 13, 2024, r 10\nr 13A ins No. 7, 2004\namd No. 41, 2012, r 4\nr 15 amd No. 4, 2007, r 3; No. 13, 2024, r 12\npt 5 hdg rep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nr 16 rep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nins No. 13 2024 r 10\npt 4B hdg ins No. 13 2024 r 10\nr 17 amd Act No. 5, 2009, s 179\nrep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nins No. 13 2024 r 10\nrr 18 – 19 rep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nins No. 13 2024 r 10\nr 20 amd Act No. 5, 2009, s 179\nrep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nins No. 13 2024 r 10\nr 21 rep Act No. 3, 2022, s 295\nins No. 13 2024 r 10\nr 21A ins No. 13 2024 r 10\npt 6 hdg ins No. 9, 2015, r 3\nr 22 ins No. 9, 2015, r 3\npt 7 hdg ins No. 16, 2019, r 23\nrr 23 – 24 ins No. 16, 2019, r 23\npt 8 hdg ins No. 16, 2019, r 23\nr 25 ins No. 16, 2019, r 23\namd Act No. 23, 2021, s 12\nsch1 amd No. 29, 2001, r 2; No. 9, 2003, r 3; No. 1, 2008, r 3; No. 16, 2019, r 24\nrep No. 13, 2024, r 11\nsch 2 ins No. 16, 2019, r 25","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"other","section":"regulations 19(2) and 20","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Under regulation 19(2), the Utilities Commission determines terms when none are submitted or approval is refused. Regulation 20 then requires the Commission to notify the “approved terms and conditions”, although that branch produces only determined terms and no approved terms.","confidence":0.94,"description":"The notification rule refers to approved terms in the branch where terms are determined rather than approved.","source_quotes":["the Utilities Commission may approve or refuse to approve those terms and conditions.","the Utilities Commission must determine the terms and conditions that apply to the deemed contracts.","if the Utilities Commission determines the terms and conditions under regulation 19, the Utilities Commission, must give notice of the approved terms and conditions in the Gazette."]}],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no clear evidence that the scope of these regulations has shifted materially from their original intent. The administrative division of responsibilities across agencies appears to reflect a deliberate and consistent structural arrangement rather than scope creep. However, the lack of substantive legislative text makes a definitive assessment impossible."},"complexity_factors":["Responsibility is fragmented across three separate government agencies, creating potential for jurisdictional overlap or gaps","The metadata is sparse — key details like the regulation number, date of making, and gazette information are absent, limiting full analysis","Dual regulatory functions (price regulation AND licensing) handled by different bodies adds administrative complexity","The title references a parent Act ('Electricity Reform') whose provisions interact with these regulations but are not reproduced here","The split between licence fee-setting (Treasury) and licence administration (Mining and Energy) is an unusual structural division that could create inconsistencies"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the administrative framework for electricity in the Northern Territory: they allocate responsibilities across government, and govern licensing, pricing and service standards for the sector.  \n\nThey affect electricity providers, customers and regulators by determining who may supply power, how charges and licence fees are set, and the service levels consumers must receive; the rules took effect on 1 July 2024."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulations have expanded and clarified administrative scope over time. They explicitly bring wholesale market operation and system control functions into the regulated 'electricity supply industry' (regs 3C, 3E), add Utilities Commission oversight powers (reg 3D), prescribe System Control and Network Technical Codes (regs 5A, 25; Schedule 2), establish retailer‑of‑last‑resort mechanics and cost recovery (regs 18–21, 21A), and set targeted exemptions for small local generation and on‑suppliers (regs 3A, 3B, 14). The amendment history in the Endnotes shows incremental additions and re‑allocations of responsibilities."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑legislative references and dependencies on the Electricity Reform Act and the National Electricity (NT) Rules increase legal interdependency (see regs 2, 25(8)).","Significant administrative discretion vested in the Utilities Commission for approvals, classifications, guidelines and determinations (see regs 4A(2)(b),(c); 5A(3); 19(1)–(2); 21A(3)(c)).","Technical and operational complexity from System Control Technical Codes and Network Technical Codes covering security, dispatch, metering and planning criteria (see reg 5A; reg 25; Schedule 2).","Layered licensing and exemption regime, including prescription that operating a wholesale market requires a licence and a targeted exemption for the Darwin‑Katherine system controller (see regs 3E; 3F).","Detailed retailer‑of‑last‑resort framework with transfer rules, deemed contracts, cost recovery and prescribed information disclosure (see regs 18–21, 21A).","Numeric thresholds and categorical prescriptions that change regulatory treatment (e.g. 160 MWh cap for small traders, 750 MWh for prescribed customer class) (see regs 3B; 16(2)).","Financial and compliance burdens specified by penalties, annual fees and interest/penalty calculations (see reg 4(3)).","Consultation, publication and verification requirements for code and classification changes impose procedural steps and timelines (see regs 5A(3); 5A(3A)–(3B); 25(5)–(7A); 4A(2)(d)).","Extensive amendment and repeal history requiring users to trace versions and interactions across multiple instruments (see Endnotes and List of Amendments)."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set the administrative rules for the Northern Territory electricity market: who must hold licences or may be exempt, how dedicated connection assets are classified, technical and network code requirements, retail obligations (including retailer‑of‑last‑resort procedures) and rules for on‑suppliers and small local generators. They place decision‑making and compliance duties with the Utilities Commission, system controllers, licence‑holders and retailers, allocate certain costs (including insolvency recovery), and restrict customers to a single supplier per site."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations have grown significantly beyond their original 2000 scope. Initially focused on basic licensing and fees, they now encompass: (1) wholesale market operation (added 2015); (2) detailed retailer of last resort arrangements for market failures (added 2024); (3) dedicated connection asset classifications (added 2019); (4) comprehensive customer protection measures including hardship and family violence provisions (added 2024); and (5) network technical codes with detailed engineering standards (added 2019). The 2024 amendments in particular represent a major expansion into consumer protection and market safety net mechanisms that were not part of the original regulatory design."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested exemption schemes — regulations 3A, 3B and 14 create layered exemptions from the main Act with conditional criteria (e.g., generation not connected to grid, under 160 MWh/year sales threshold)","Heavy cross-referencing to external instruments — frequent references to the National Electricity (NT) Rules, the Retail Code, and the underlying Electricity Reform Act 2000 require readers to consult multiple documents simultaneously","Defined terms with external dependencies — terms like 'connection point' and 'meter' are defined by reference to chapters of the National Electricity (NT) Rules rather than defined inline","Conditional logic in retailer of last resort provisions — regulations 18-21 create intricate timing-based obligations (transfer dates, pre/post transfer date payments, cancellation of direct debits) with multiple sub-clauses","Dual classification system for dedicated connection assets — regulations 4A, 23 and 24 require classification as 'large' or 'small' with verification processes involving the Utilities Commission and system controller","Multiple consultation requirements — regulations 5A and 25 impose slightly different consultation obligations depending on whether the Utilities Commission, Minister, network provider or a prescribed person is making the technical code","Fragmented amendment history — the endnotes show 20+ amendments over 24 years, with significant recent restructuring (2024 amendments repealed and replaced multiple parts), making it difficult to trace current law without the consolidation","Interaction between deemed contracts and actual contracts — regulation 18(2) creates a legal fiction where disputes continue as if the retailer failure hadn't occurred, creating parallel dispute resolution tracks"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese Regulations are the \"rulebook\" that sits underneath the Northern Territory's *Electricity Reform Act 2000*. They fill in the practical details that the main Act doesn't cover — things like who needs a licence to sell electricity, how much they pay, what technical standards power networks must meet, and what happens when an electricity retailer goes bust.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n* **Electricity companies** — they need licences to operate, must pay annual fees, and must follow technical codes.\n* **Large energy users** — businesses using over 750 megawatt hours per year can choose their retailer (\"contestable customers\"), while smaller users are protected by standard terms.\n* **On-suppliers** — people who buy electricity in bulk and resell it to tenants (like caravan park owners or shopping centre managers). They get exemptions from some rules but must pass on costs fairly.\n* **Customers** — especially vulnerable ones (people with life support equipment, those experiencing family violence or financial hardship) who get special protections in the Retail Code.\n* **The Utilities Commission** — the NT's energy regulator, which oversees the market, resolves disputes, and approves technical codes.\n\n**Key things the Regulations cover:**\n\n* **Licences and fees** — sets deadlines for annual returns (1 August) and penalties for late payment (up to 85 penalty units plus daily fines).\n* **Small generators** — exempts \"behind the meter\" generation (like rooftop solar) and small remote generators from needing a licence, provided they're not connected to the main grid.\n* **Retailer of Last Resort** — if your electricity retailer collapses, these rules ensure you're automatically switched to a backup retailer without losing power, and set out how prepaid credits and payment plans are handled.\n* **Technical standards** — requires Network Technical Codes for the Darwin-Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek systems covering everything from voltage limits to how new generators connect to the grid.\n* **Dedicated connection assets** — classifies large infrastructure (like private power lines to mines) as either \"large\" or \"small\" for regulatory purposes.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese Regulations keep the lights on in the NT. They balance competition (letting big businesses shop around for power) with protection (making sure vulnerable households don't get exploited). They also ensure the physical electricity network remains safe and reliable through mandatory technical standards. Without these rules, there would be no clear process for handling retailer failures, no standards for power quality, and no framework for small-scale generation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000","history":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000/history","analysis":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/electricity-reform-administration-regulations-2000/documents"}}