Analysis

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2025 Another Year Full of Energy (Developments)

2025 has been another year in which energy-related issues have been front and centre. It ended with a flurry of announcements and releases, including a new Solar Sharer tariff proposed by the Federal Government and the release of the 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) draft. Below we highlight some of the more notable developments over the past 12 months.

BY Australian Energy Council Dec 11 2025

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Integrated System Plan – What Should We Expect?

The release of an expert study of last year’s autumn wind drought in Australia by consultancy Global Power Energy[i] this week raised some questions about the approach used by the Australian Energy Market Operator’s in its 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP). The ISP has been subject to debate before. For example, there has previously been criticism that some of the ISP’s modelling assumes what amounts to “perfect foresight” of wind and solar output and demand[ii], rather than a series of inputs and assumptions. The ISP is produced every two years and with the draft of the next ISP (2026) due for release soon, it is useful to consider what it is and what it is not, along with what the ISP seeks to do.

BY Australian Energy Council Dec 04 2025

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Reliability Review: Why are the settings so crucial for the NEM?

While the recent focus around the National Electricity Market (NEM) has been on the Federal Government’s Expert Panel, an equally important review on the reliability standard has also been underway. In June, the Reliability Panel (The Panel) published an issues paper to initiate the 2026 Reliability Standard and Settings Review. These underlying market settings remain key to a well-functioning NEM and will work hand-in-hand with the Expert Panel’s recommendations. Here we take a look at the reliability review, some of the areas in our submission to that process as well as the rationale behind our position.

BY David Feeney Sep 11 2025

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Wholesale Market Settings Review – Key Issues to Resolve

The Australian Energy Council continues to engage with the Expert Panel conducting the wholesale market settings review. Submissions closed on 14 February. The Review is an important piece of work, as it seeks to define the services the energy system will need as the transition continues and to ensure that market-based incentives and signals deliver the required investment, enabling a shift away from a continued reliance on Government intervention. What is emerging is good alignment across stakeholders on the key issues. We take a closer look at some of the common themes and what the AEC believes are key areas.

BY David Feeney Mar 13 2025