AEMO releases draft 2020 Integrated System Plan

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released the draft 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP), which charts development of the electricity grid.

Energy Networks Australia has welcomed the release, with Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon stating that the plan charts a secure, reliable and low-cost pathway for the development of the grid as electricity generation is transformed.

“A coordinated national approach to incorporating new generation, transmission and system support into the grid is essential as coal-fired generation retires over the next 20 years,” he said.

“Throughout the world, the logical response to ever-increasing amounts of variable generation from renewables has been more interconnection between markets.

“This delivers what customers need: better reliability, more flexibility and downward pressure on wholesale prices.

Dillon said AEMO’s modelling found that the transmission investment proposed in the ISP represented just 5% of total system costs.

“Transmission costs are a very small component of power bills. The transmission and interconnection projects proposed in the draft ISP are strategic investments that offer significant benefits,” he said.

“The priority for networks is to ensure we deliver a future electricity system that is reliable, secure and affordable for our customers.”

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