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  • Reserve capacity mechanism

  • In this section
    • In this section
      Reserve capacity timetable
      Benchmark reserve capacity price
      • Benchmark reserve capacity price archive
      Expressions of interest
      Certification of reserve capacity
      Reserve capacity security
      Reserve capacity auction
      Assignment of capacity credits
      Facility tests
      Supplementary reserve capacity
      Individual reserve capacity requirement (IRCR) information
  • The reserve capacity mechanism (RCM) ensures that there is sufficient generation capacity in the South West integrated system (SWIS) by:

    • Setting a reserve capacity requirement two years ahead, published in the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Electricity Statement of Opportunities.
    • Allocating certified reserve capacity and capacity credits based on a facility's technical capability.
    • Running a reserve capacity auction if insufficient capacity credits have been allocated through the bilateral trade declaration process.
    • Testing facilities to ensure they are meeting their obligations.
    • Assigning an individual reserve capacity requirement to each market customer, based on contributions to the system peak, to allocate the cost of capacity credits fairly among market customers.

    A capacity year in the SWIS is between 1 October and 1 October the following calendar year, to ensure capacity is available during the peak demand period running from October to March.

    The RCM processes are separate from the energy market. The steps are shown in the flow chart below.

    Flowchart

    Market training

    AEMO runs training courses on the RCM. Click here to find out more.

    Contact us

    Questions relating to the RCM should be directed to:

    Team Leader, Reserve Capacity

    AEMO (WA)
    PO Box 7096
    Cloisters Square, Perth, WA 6850

    Phone: (08) 9469 9936
    Fax: (03) 9609 8080
    Email: wa.capacity@aemo.com.au


    Benchmark Reserve Capacity Price Expressions of interests Electricity Statement of Opportunities Certification of reserve capacity Assignment of capacity credits Reserve capacity auction Facility tests Individual reserve capacity requirement Reserve capacity security
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