South Australia’s energy transformation is accelerating and bringing new opportunities to South Australia. It is also presenting ElectraNet with challenges to the evolving network as South Australia’s power system increases in complexity and age.
From 2 December 2025, a new system strength framework (‘System Strength Rule Change’) will begin under the National Electricity Rules. This will require ElectraNet to deliver system strength on a forward-looking basis to standards set by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
ElectraNet are seeking to establish a portfolio of solutions with industry that will ensure any gaps in system strength can be filled by ElectraNet, its connected customers, or together. These could include bolstering existing generation, new synchronous generation / condensers, and looking closely at technologies showing enormous potential such as batteries and grid-forming inverters.
ElectraNet are applying the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) to options that will deliver an efficient level of system strength services to the SA power system, facilitating a stable voltage waveform for new inverter-based renewable generators (efficient level) above and beyond the minimum level of system strength.
Publication of this Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) is the first step in the RIT-T process. This PSCR is accompanied by an Expression of Interest (EOI), seeking non-network options from potential System Strength Contractors to address system strength requirements in SA (i.e. third party businesses that provide system strength services to ElectraNet under a network support contract).
ElectraNet welcomes written submissions on this Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) by 23 February 2024.
Submissions should be emailed to consultation@electranet.com.au. Submissions will be published unless a proponent marks their submission (or part of it) as confidential at the time of the submission.
The Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR), which is the second stage of the RIT-T process, will include a full options analysis.
ElectraNet is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential System Strength Contractors to provide non-network options to deliver system strength services to the SA power system to meet standards set by the Schedule 5.1.14 (b) (2) of the National Electricity Rules and AEMO’s system strength requirements methodology from 2 December 2025.
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