Exemptions for Rule Participant registration or Facility registration in the WEM

This page provides an overview of how to apply for an exemption from the requirement to register in the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM):

• as a Rule Participant in the Network Operator class or the Market Participant class; or
• a Facility (generation system, storage system, transmission system or distribution system) into a Facility Class.

To apply a person (legal person or natural person) must submit the follow exemption form and any supporting information to WA Energy Market Management Team by email to wa.operations@aemo.com.au

Prior to submitting the exemption form it is advisable to contact WA Energy Market Management by phone on 1300 989 797 (option 1) or by email to wa.operations@aemo.com.au to discuss your circumstances and to ensure the correct information is reflected in your application.

Further details on the submitting an exemption is in the WEM Procedure for Rule Participant Registration Processes and the WEM Procedure for Facility Registration Processes under the section “Market operations market procedures” (link here).

The following is an overview of circumstances, in which a person is required to register in the WEM, however may apply for an exemption.

Seeking an exemption to register as a Network Operator in the WEM

You may apply for exemption if the following applies:

• You are a person who will own, control or operate a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West interconnected system or is electrically connected to that system; and in the absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.28.16, or AEMO making a determination under clause 2.28.3, you are required to register as a Rule Participant in the Network Operator class [Clause 2.28.2].

Seeking an exemption from the requirement to register as a Market Participant in the WE

You may apply for exemption if the following applies:

• You are a person who owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Energy Producing System with a System Size that equals or exceeds 10 MW and is electrically connected to a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West interconnected system or is electrically connected to that system; and in the absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.28.16 you must register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant class [Clause 2.28.6].

• You are a person who owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Energy Producing System with a System Size of less than 10 MW, but which equals or exceeds 5 MW, and is electrically connected to a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West Interconnected System, or is electrically connected to that system; and as such must either register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant class; or apply for an exemption from the requirement to register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant Class [Clause 2.28.7].

• You are a person who sells electricity to Contestable Customers in respect of Facilities electrically connected to a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West Interconnected System, or is electrically connected to that system; and in absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.28.16, you must register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant class [Clause 2.28.10].

• You are a person not covered by clauses 2.28.2 to 2.28.11 but who sells or purchases electricity or provides another electricity related service under these WEM Rules to or from AEMO, including, without limitation, a person who intends to provide or provides an Essential System Service; in the absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.28.16 you must register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant class [Clause 2.28.13]. This requirement is subject to the exception outlined in clause 4.24.4.

• You are a person who will apply to AEMO for an exemption under clause 2.28.16 from the requirement to register as a Rule Participant in which you must nominate an “Intermediary” in accordance with clause 2.28.16A.

• You are a person who owns, controls or operates a generation system which has a rated capacity that equals or exceeds 10 MW and meet all of the requirements in clause 2.28.16B and you do not intend to register as a Market Participant

• You are a person who owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Intermittent Load and intend to apply to AEMO to be exempted from the requirement to register as a Rule Participant in the Market Participant class in accordance with clause 2.28.16C.

Seeking an exemption from the requirement to register a Facility

You may apply for exemption if the following applies:

• You are a Network Operator who owns, operates or controls a transmission system or distribution system, where that transmission or distribution system forms part of the South West interconnected system, or is electrically connected to that system and as such you must register that transmission system or distribution system in accordance with clause 2.29.3.

• You are a person that owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Energy Producing System with a System Size that equals or exceeds 10 MW and is electrically connected to a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West interconnected system, or is electrically connected to that system; and in the absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.29.4M you must register the Facility as a Semi-Scheduled Facility or Scheduled Facility in accordance with clause 2.29.4.

• You are a person that owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Energy Producing System with a System Size of less than 10 MW, but which equals or exceeds 5 MW, and is electrically connected to a transmission system or distribution system which forms part of the South West Interconnected System, or is electrically connected to that system; and in the absence of AEMO granting an exemption under clause 2.29.4B or 2.29.4M, you must register the Facility in a Facility Class in accordance with clause 2.29.4F.

• You are person who owns, controls or operates a Facility containing an Intermittent Load and the following also applies:

        - You are required to apply to register your Facility in the Facility Class of Semi-       
           Scheduled Facility or a Scheduled Facility under clause 2.29.4; and               
         - AEMO has accepted an application under clause 2.30B.6 for a Facility with a
           Nominated Excess Capacity of less than 10 MW.