RT C: GRATTAN INSTITUTE

Over many years, electricity supply chains across the world have been characterised by either vertically integrated monopolies or disaggregated chains with competitive wholesale generation and retail sectors connected by regulated monopoly networks. Market reforms to deliver more reliable and affordable electricity has driven a trend from the former to the latter. Such reforms, begun in the 1990s are ongoing, including in the developed and developing economies of Asia.

But these reforms are being challenged as governments move to address climate change with new technologies, and as consumer begin to make their own choices. This Roundtable will explore the implications for consumers, public and private owners and government regulators in two sessions.

1. Centralised electricity generation is being challenged by distributed generation driven by policies to support renewable energy. Key issues include:
• The energy-only wholesale market may no longer provide the pricing signals to deliver efficient and timely supply.
• The role of the grid, both transmission and distribution, becomes more complex and more critical in ensuring system reliability and security as more distributed, intermittent generation is added.
• The notion of a regulated natural monopoly may no longer be relevant as distribution business seek to participate in the competitive markets and the old lines are blurred.
2. Households and businesses are adopting solar PV systems increasingly combined with battery storage. So, what are the issues from the demand side? Key issues include:
• Reduced consumption or even disconnection from the grid – Should this be “allowed”?
• Network assets become more under-utilized or even redundant – Who pays?
• Tariff structures provide little incentive for efficient investment – should they be reformed?

These issues create challenges for businesses, investors, policy makers and regulators. The absence of easy answers means that all attendees at the Roundtable can learn from each other’s experiences.