Rule Changes

The Market Rules provide for anyone to propose a Rule Change Proposal by completing a Rule Change Proposal Form. To facilitate the development of proposals, align similar proposals and enable orderly consideration of proposals, the IMO recommends external parties wishing to propose a rule change to first contact the IMO to discuss the issue to be addressed. These discussions will also assist rule change proponents to frame their proposals and identify how the rule change will further enable achievement of the Market Objectives.

To discuss your rule change proposal, please contact the Manager of Market Development and System Capacity (see contact details below).

Pre-rule change concept papers are also developed and presented to the Market Advisory Committee. An overview of the Concept Papers previously published or under discussion related to proposed changes to the Market Rules that have been presented to the Market Advisory Committee since 15 December 2006 is available here.

Once submitted, the proposal will be processed according to the process in the Market Rules. A rule change proposal can be processed using either a Standard process or a Fast Track process.

The Standard Rule Change process includes two rounds of consultation and will usually take around nineteen weeks. The Standard process involves consultation on a draft report published by the IMO prior to the publication of a final report. In consulting on a rule change proposal, the IMO may convene the Market Advisory Committee, meet with interested parties, procure technical advisers, or establish a technical working group drawing on industry representatives if this is considered necessary to appropriately develop or evaluate changes.

The Fast Track process is a shorter process that normally takes around five weeks to complete and is used when the proposed change is:

1. of minor or procedural nature;
2. required to correct a manifest error;
3. urgently required and is essential for the safe, effective and reliable operation of the market or the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).

The IMO's decision on whether to accept a rule change proposal, and its reasons, will be published together with a time and date when accepted rule changes will come into force.

If the Rule Change relates to a protected provision (see Market Rule 2.8.13), the IMO will seek the Minister for Energy's approval.

Any person may make a rule change proposal by filling in and submitting a Rule Change Proposal Form below.

Rule Change Proposal Form [234kB]

Any rule change proposal must include details as to how the Rule Change would allow the Market Rules to better address the Wholesale Market Objectives, which are:

1. to promote the economically efficient, safe and reliable production and supply of electricity and electricity related services in the South West interconnected system;
2. to encourage competition among generators and retailers in the South West interconnected system, including by facilitating efficient entry of new competitors;
3. to avoid discrimination in that market against particular energy options and technologies, including sustainable energy options and technologies such as those that make use of renewable resources or that reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions;
4. to minimise the long-term cost of electricity supplied to customers from the South West interconnected system; and
5. to encourage the taking of measures to manage the amount of electricity used and when it is used.

All Rule Change Proposals should be submitted to:

Group Manager, Market Development

Independent Market Operator
PO Box 7096
Cloisters Square, Perth, WA 6850

Phone: (08) 9254 4300
Fax: (08) 9254 4399
Email: market.development@imowa.com.au

All Rule Change Proposals currently under consideration are available here.

Any person can make a submission relating to a Rule Change Proposal progressed in accordance with the Market Rules during the period indicated for public submissions. All submissions must reach IMO before 5:00 pm (WST) on the final submission date, unless otherwise noted. A submission must clearly state which Rule Change Proposal is being addressed, using the IMO reference number. Please relate each submission to a single Rule Change Proposal.

The IMO prefers to receive submissions by email to market.development@imowa.com.au using this submission form.

Rule Change Submission Form [225kB]

Submissions may also be sent to the IMO by fax or post, to the address above.

This document is published in accordance with Market Rule 10.5.1 (a) v and (b).