A gas code of conduct by June will enforce fair prices and support a reliable power supply, energy ministers say.
Price relief and energy reliability were front of mind at the meeting of Australia’s energy ministers in Alice Springs on Friday.
The rollout of renewable energy projects and transmission is slower than required for the target of 82 per cent renewable by 2030.
And high profile projects such as Snowy Hydro 2.0 and the Kurri Kurri gas plant that were intended to support the exit of coal from the electricity grid are already delayed.
“Ministers discussed further actions currently underway to support reliability, including the introduction of the mandatory gas code of conduct, expected in June 2023,” the communique said.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will accelerate the connection of projects for the 2023/24 summer.
Clean energy projects and investments will also be a priority to support remote NT communities and Indigenous people.
But AEMO warned significant investment in storage and renewable energy will be required to maintain reliability to 2030, while major transmission and pumped hydro projects are completed.
The national Capacity Investment Scheme with the commonwealth underwriting investment, and the development of a National Renewable Energy Supply Chain Action Plan are a priority, ministers agreed.
Announced in the May budget, the scheme aims to unlock at least $10 billion of new investment and six gigawatts of dispatchable power through a series of rolling tenders.
Ministers agreed to consult on the detailed design of the national scheme to encourage investment in all states and territories.
Meanwhile the Energy Security Board of top officials will be overhauled from July 1.
“Any new advisory body must focus on reducing complexity and increasing collaboration because we have no time to waste,” the Clean Energy Council said.
With energy reliability continuing to be a key concern, providing the AEMO with more resources to ensure more projects can be connected to the grid ahead of the summer months is another positive step, the industry body said.
Grid connection and network access have been the top concerns of clean energy investors in recent years..
The Energy Advisory Panel will co-ordinate advice to governments on the security, reliability, and affordability of the east coast energy system.
It will include the heads of the three energy market bodies, and the Energy Commissioner of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as an observer.
Expanding the membership to include ACCC will enable better consideration of issues relating to gas supply, retail markets and consumer protections, the communique said.
The ministers will have their next meeting in Tasmania in July.