Electricity Act 1996

Subject to the regulations, a system controller for a power system has the function of monitoring and controlling the operation of the power system with a view to ensuring that the system operates safely and reliably.

A system controller for a power system has, in carrying out the system controller's functions under this Act—

power to issue directions to electricity entities that are engaged in the operation of the power system, or contribute electricity to, or take electricity from, the power system; and

the other powers conferred by regulation.

Without limiting subsection (2)(a), the directions may include directions—

to switch off or reroute a generator;

to call equipment into service;

to take equipment out of service;

to commence operation or maintain, increase or reduce active or reactive power output;

to shut down or vary operation;

to shed or restore customer loads.

If an electricity entity refuses or fails to comply with a direction of a system controller, the system controller may—

authorise a person to take the action required by the direction or to cause the action to be taken; and

give the electricity entity any directions the system controller considers necessary to facilitate the taking of the action.

Costs and expenses incurred in taking action or causing action to be taken under subsection (4) are recoverable from the electricity entity by the system controller as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The functions and powers of a system controller for a power system operated in the national electricity market, as defined in the