About the WA Reform Program
The WA Reform Program is AEMO’s program of work to facilitate the Energy Transition in Western Australia.
The Program will also coordinate other associated initiatives to manage interdependencies.
Background
The WA Reform Program was established following the successful implementation of the new Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) on 1 October 2023. The new market provides the foundation to implement Stage 2 of the WA Government's reform agenda, and the objectives of the broader Energy Transformation Strategy (ETS).
Our purpose and intent
AEMO has formed the WA Reform Program to manage the implementation of the next round of reforms to facilitate the energy transition in Western Australia (WA). As the energy system rapidly decarbonises, the program will address key elements of the electricity market design and system operation to enable new technologies and higher levels of renewable energy sources.
- Energy Transformation Strategy (ETS) initiatives form the core of the program.
- Strategic and foundational initiatives support the WA business and provide the necessary capabilities and technology to enable the energy transition.
Working together
As the energy transition in WA progresses the increasingly complex challenges require genuine collaboration and cooperation with and between government, industry and market bodies.
The WA Reform Program is committed to working with our stakeholders on ways to address challenges and harness opportunities in the energy transition, developing cases for change, designing solutions and coordinating the delivery of cost-effective reforms that are integrated and sequenced.
The continued focus on collaboration seen throughout the previous WEM Reform Program will ensure the program not only addresses the immediate needs of the market, but also paves the way for future advancements in energy technology and infrastructure.
Programs or work
There are currently six sub-programs of work within the WA Reform Program, each comprising multiple related projects. A subset of projects is described for each program – selected on the basis that these projects are anticipated as being of particular interest to industry participants.
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Program name |
Objective |
Selected projects within each Program |
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WA Operations Program |
The WA Operations Program improves the systems and processes which operate the WEM and GSI. |
Outages and Commissioning Test Plans Project
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WA Digital Program |
The WA Digital Program maintains the currency of WA IT systems to prevent interoperability, reliability and cyber security risks resulting from obsolescence. |
All projects within the Digital Program are predominantly internally focused. Initiatives under this program are aimed at:
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RCM Review Program |
The RCM Program implements reforms to ensure sufficient capacity is available to maintain system reliability throughout the energy transition. |
RCM Review 2024 Project Flexible Certification+ Project This project will deliver the Flexible Capacity product changes required for all activities in year 1 of the 2025 Reserve Capacity Cycle. At a high level, the project will deliver:
This includes UIs and workflows to enable Market Participants to submit and manage their data and for AEMO to assess/accept/reject the submissions and publish information.
Peak and Flex CCA Project Peak Capacity Credit Allocations (CCA) allows a Market Participant to bilaterally trade Peak Capacity Credits for its Facility to another Market Participant for settlement. This project will leverage the existing CCA functionality within RCM Operations to allow Market Participants to make Peak and Flexible CCA submissions by Facility and Separately Certified Components. At a high level, the project will introduce:
The Peak CCA changes will come into effect 1 October 2026 and the Flexible CCA changes will come into effect on 1 October 2027. |
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DER Program |
The WA DER Program is building a future where DER and CER competitively participate in the WEM. |
DER Participation - Project Jupiter |
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WA Emerging Reform Program |
The WA Emerging Reform Program supports the reforms progressed by Energy Policy WA. |
FCESS Cost Review This project will implement the WEM Frequency Co-Optimised Essential System Services (FCESS) Cost Review Amending Rules. Changes include:
Relevant technical changes will be implemented on 20 November 2024. |
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WA Future System Program |
The WA Future Systems Program builds capabilities to adapt to the energy transition. |
WEM SWIS Power System Modelling This project will uplift AEMO’s techno-economic modelling of the electricity and gas systems to support our long-term assessments of supply requirements, including for the WEM ESOO and the WA GSOO as well as for the procurement of NCESS. SWIS Engineering Roadmap
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