The AEMC's final rule on embedded networks and
customer access to the National Electricity Market comes into force
on 1 December 2017.
An embedded network is a private electricity network that serves
multiple customers, through a parent connection to the grid (think
shopping centre – the centre owner runs the embedded network
and each shop is a customer). Customers on embedded networks can
find it difficult to buy electricity from anyone other than the
embedded network's operator. So there is a barrier to
participation in the competitive retail market.
The rule creates a new role: the "embedded network
manager". The ENM's purpose is to link customers to the
retail market. They do this by helping customers register their
meter on the wholesale market system. The result is customers have
the power to choose which electricity retailer they use.
