Register a Facility in the WEM

This page provides an overview of the processes and tasks required to register a Facility in the WEM. As with Rule Participant registration, this occurs in two stages:

• Stage 1: Candidate Facility Creation and Electricity Transfer Access Contract*, includes applying for Electricity Transfer Access Contract* and applying for Generator Performance Standards submission**

• Stage 2: Completing Facility registration, SCADA meter commissioning and dispatch commissioning, includes submitting Generator Modelling data*, SCADA meter commissioning*, completing Facility Registration, market submission testing and commissioning test plan submissions* for dispatch commissioning.**

* Required for Market Participant applying to register a Scheduled Facility, Semi-Scheduled Facility and Non- Scheduled Facility.

** Required for Market Participant applying to register a Scheduled Facility, Semi-Scheduled Facility and Non- Scheduled Facility that are Transmission Connected Generating Systems.

Further information on how to apply to register a Facility will be available in the WEM Procedure for Facility Registration Processes. Please note this Procedure is currently being updated and will need to go through public consultation. It is expected to be available in December 2024.

In the interim please contact to the Energy Market Management (EMM) team at wa.operations@aemo.com.au. The EMM team will aid in completing any Facility registration process and can provide you guidance on where there may be differences from the previous market procedure for Facility Registration, De-Registration and Transfer Procedure. 

The following Facility Registration Checklist is available to assist with the process:

Please note Facility registration process can only begin once the applicant has been registered as a Rule Participant. Information on Rule Participant registration is available here:

Category and classification

To apply for Facility Registration in the WEM, an applicant must have a Facility (as defined under clause 2.29.1B), and then must apply to be registered in a Facility Class (as defined under class 2.29.1A).

An exception to the above is the “registration” of a connection point to apply for a Load or part of a Load to be registered as a Non-Dispatchable Load in Wholesale Electricity Market System (WEMS) with Intermittent Load status (or is associated with an Intermittent Load) under clause 2.30B.5.

Another exception is to apply to “register” a Non-Dispatchable Load in Wholesale Electricity Market System (WEMS), if your connection point is applying for Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) Ride-Through Capability accreditation and is not registered in a Facility Class.

Stage 1: Candidate Facility Creation and Electricity Transfer Access Contract

Registration requirements for Stage 1

Candidate Facility Creation

To register a Facility, a candidate Facility first be created in WEMS. The following form must be completed and emailed to the WA Energy Market Management at wa.operations@aemo.com.au.

Electricity Transfer Access Contract application

An Electricity Transfer Access contract (ETAC) is required for the registration of a Scheduled Facility, Semi-Scheduled Facility, and Non-Scheduled Facility and allows the Facility to connect to the network. Further information on the connections process and getting an ETAC is available at the Western Power website (link here).

If the Facility is transmission network connected the Market Participant must initiate the Generator Performance Standards submission process with Western Power and AEMO after they have submitted their ETAC application.

Generator Performance Standards

If your Facility is Transmission Connected Generating System (generation works or storage works) you should refer to the Generator Performance Standards Framework and if you want to discuss, please contact the AEMO WEM GPS team on WEM.GPS@aemo.com.au.

Applications for the Reserve Capacity Mechanism (RCM)

Once the Candidate Facility Creation form has been approved the Market Participant may apply for Certified Reserve Capacity under the Reserve Capacity Mechanism. For further information on applications and deadlines are on AEMO’s website (link here)

Stage 2: Completing Facility registration and commissioning

Once the candidate Facility is approved in WEMS, you will be able to begin the next steps of the registration process. It is recommended you contact the Energy Market Management team at wa.operations@aemo.com.au at least 6 months prior to your intended date for the Facility to be operational in the WEM (e.g. date to commence injecting or withdrawing from the network). This allows time for you to plan and provide remaining registration data and schedule commissioning activities with AEMO.

Registration requirements for Stage 2

Project Erection Authority (PEA) document

The applicant should consult, as early as practicable, with Western Power regarding timeframes to submit and finalise the PEA document, SCADA meter installation and SCADA meter commissioning.

Generator Modelling Data

AEMO requires modelling information to represent the physical arrangement of the generating system and its connection to the network. AEMO requires that simulation models are sufficiently accurate to demonstrate the performance of the generating plant under all expected operating conditions. AEMO uses modelling data and simulation models to assess technical performance standards, to determine power system operational limits, as well as to assess the connection requirements for future generators.

For more details on software requirements see the following Guideline for Preparation of Modelling Data for the WEM.  

SCADA meter point-to-point commissioning

After Western Power SCADA meter has been installed and the PEA document is has been initiated the Market Participant must liaise with AEMO to complete the SCADA commissioning process.

Minimum timings for submitting information to AEMO for meter point commissioning is found here under actions for found here under actions for “Proponents” link here.

Facility Sub-metering requirements

If a Market Participant has multiple Separately Certified Components for a Facility which has been assigned Certified Reserve Capacity, they are required to provide AEMO an audit report of the Facility Sub-Metering. Please contact wa.capacity@aemo.com.au to confirm the requirements.

The audit report must meet requirements in section 4 of the Facility Sub-Metering WEM Procedure available in the section Market operations market procedures (link here).

Submitting Facility Registration Data

The Participant must provide Facility data, including Standing Data in accordance with Appendix 1 of the WEM Rules, prior to the Facility being registered.

This to support the registration and operation of the Facility in the WEM.

Participants are required to first submit Provisional Registration Forms for their applicable Facility Classes, which are available below:

Instructions on how to submit the Provisional Registration Forms are contained in the form.

The application should be completed and emailed to the WA Energy Market Management at wa.operations@aemo.com.au for AEMO to assess the data, raise any issues or queries and then subsequently provide provisional approval.

For specifications and definitions for each field in the Provisional Registration Forms, a WEMS Registration Technical Guide is also available at the following link:

Submitting the provisional approved data in WEMS MPI as Change requests

Once the Provisional Registration Forms have been approved by AEMO, the Participant must transpose the provisionally approved data into the following change requests in the WEMS Market Participant Interface (MPI):

• Facility Generation Information Change Request
• Facility Standing Data Change Request
• Depending on the Facility Class – Separately Certified Component and/or Facility Technology Type Change Requests

Submitting the Facility Registration application

Once Facility data is approved and effective in AEMO’s systems, the Facility Registration Change Request must be submitted and for it to include the below completed Declaration of Facility registration.

The Facility Registration Change Request is the final application to submit and when approved by AEMO determines the date the Facility is registered in the WEM and the date that associated market obligations commence.

Application Fee

Participants must pay the Facility Registration application as outlined on the WA Budget and Fees report on the Fees and Charges webpage:

Market Submission testing

Market Submission testing should be initiated after submission of the Provisional Registration Form. Allow a minimum of 2 weeks to gain access the test environment and to setup test data. The Market Participant should consider which market submissions should be tested.

Obtain Austraclear ID

Information about Austraclear account requirements to allow settlement of WEM invoices is available at AEMO’s website (link here).

To apply to be an Austraclear Participant and to receive an Austraclear ID a Market Participant must submit an application to the ASX on this link here.

Commissioning Test Plan (CTP) process

For further information on CTP submission review AEMO’s website (link here) or contact wa.sm.planning@aemo.com.au

For Transmission Connected Generations Systems, a Generator Performance Standards submission needs to be approved prior to approving associated Commissioning Test Plans and to allow the Facility to export into the network.

Accreditation for Essential System Services (optional)

This optional and the facility must be registered. For further information review AEMO’s website (link here).

Accreditation for Rate of Change of Frequency Ride-Through (optional)

This optional and the facility must be registered. For further information review AEMO’s website (link here).

Other registration types:
Registration of a Demand Side Programme

Market Participants with Demand Side Programmes must also submit DSP NDL Association Change Request in WEMS MPI. This can be done before or after the Demand Side Programme has been Facility Registration application has been approved; however it must be completed prior to any Capacity Obligation dates.

Registration of an Interruptible Load

Market Participants with an Interruptible Load must submit:

• application of FCESS accreditation for Contingency Reserve Raise must be made by following the process on Seeking Accreditation for FCESS; and
• an NDL Association Form for an Interruptible Load Facility in the Facility Standing Data Change Request in WEMS (see below):