The ACCC has decided to grant interim authorisation from 4 November 2024, to enable Pilbara ISOCo Ltd and certain other participants to engage in conduct with the purpose of maintaining or improving the safety, security or reliability of the North West Interconnected System, and which comprises either the exchanging of information, planning or implementing a requirement relating to either system security measures, outage coordination or technical connection standards.
On 3 September 2024, the ACCC issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation with conditions in respect of the proposed arrangements. On 25 September 2024, the ACCC decided, and the Applicants agreed, to extend the statutory timeframe for the ACCC to make a final decision, until 20 December 2024.
Pilbara ISOCo has been engaging in the conduct pursuant to a statutory exemption under the Electricity Industry (Pilbara Networks) Regulations 2021 (WA). This statutory exemption expires on 4 November 2024. Interim authorisation will enable Pilbara ISOCo and the participants to continue to engage in the conduct without disruption whilst the ACCC continues its assessment of the substantive application.
Further information on the interim authorisation decision is available on the ACCC's public register.
