New Electricity Consumer Trustee to put energy consumers first

The NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap has reached an important milestone with
the appointment of AEMO Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the independent Australian
Energy Market Opertor (AEMO), as the NSW Consumer Trustee.

A worker during set up at Moree Solar Farm. Moree, NSW.

Energy Minister Matt Kean said the appointment is a vital step in unlocking the
expected $32 billion of private sector investment needed to deliver the next generation
of electricity infrastructure that will keep the lights on and prices down.

“The Roadmap is a once in a generation opportunity to transform our State’s electricity
system into one of the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable in the world,” Mr Kean
said.

“The Consumer Trustee will play a vital role in delivering our Electricity Roadmap,
acting as the custodian of the long-term financial interests of NSW consumers.

“This appointment is a win for consumers and industry, allowing the Roadmap to draw
on AEMO’s expertise while making sure that AEMO continues to perform its current
role running the energy market.”

The Consumer Trustee will play a pivotal role in:

  • overseeing coordinated planning and investment in electricity generation, storage and transmission over time in New South Wales
  • authorising electricity network infrastructure projects
  • administering tenders to identify the best generation and storage projects for consumers
  • designing long term energy service agreements to encourage new generation and storage investment.

The Consumer Trustee was appointed following a rigorous evaluation and
consultation process and focused on selecting a Consumer Trustee model that made
the most sense for NSW, while supporting the broader National Electricity Market.

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