About the IMO
The Independent Market Operator (IMO) is responsible for the operation and development of the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) in Western Australia.
The WEM commenced in September 2006 after the government of the day disaggregated the state’s electricity utility (Western Power) and created a wholesale market open to competition and private sector investment.
The IMO was established on 1 December 2004 as an independent body to oversee the WEM. The IMO works with power generators and retailers and promotes the safe, fair and reliable production and supply of electricity. It aims to encourage competition, minimise long-term energy costs and supports the development of sustainable technologies.
The IMO's Responsibilities
The IMO is responsibile for:
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Providing and maintaining an effective market platform or infrastructure for the efficient operation of the WEM (via making rules and enforcing them).
- Ensuring Western Australia has an adequate supply of electricity. (The IMO facilitates the provision of sufficient generation capacity and demand side management to meet expected demand.)
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Promoting the ongoing development of the WEM and aiming to continually improve its performance.
The IMO oversees the WEM in the SWIS
The WEM operates in the South West interconnected system - the SWIS - which covers most of the populated region of Western Australia.
The total SWIS summer peak demand is approximately 4000MW.
Functions of the IMO
The functions of the IMO are set out in the following documents:
- Wholesale Electricity Market Rules ("Market Rules") (see clause 2.1.2)
- Electricity Industry (Wholesale Electricity Market) Regulations 2004
- Electricity Industry (Independent Market Operator) Regulations 2004
IMO's Strategic Objectives
The IMO aims to uphold its strategic objectives across all aspects of the business. The organisation's current strategic objectives are as follows:
Operating the Market