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Distribution Network Performance Standards

To ensure that customers receive a high quality and appropriate standard of service from the electricity distribution network, regulators and governments commonly establish minimum performance standards for the supply of electricity. Distribution performance standards:

ensure reasonable levels of electricity supply reliability;
define what the community may expect; and
guide investment in electricity distribution infrastructure to correct those sections operating below standard.

The current distribution network reliability standards effective 1 January 2008 are at clause 8.6.11 of chapter 8 of the TEC.

The approved maps defining the supply reliability areas and supply reliability categories in three regions may be viewed below:

To find out the supply reliability category of your electrical installation, please call TasNetworks on 1300 137 008 during business hours. Click here for information on TasNetworks' supply reliability guarantee and payments.

History of the development of the higher Distribution Network Performance Standards

2024 Review of the Guaranteed Service Level Scheme and supply reliability category boundaries

In early 2024, the Regulator undertook a review of the Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) Scheme, which requires the distribution network service provider (currently Tasmanian Networks Pty Ltd) to make payments to customers affected by outages when the frequency or duration of outages experienced exceed prescribed thresholds.

The GSL Guideline had not been amended since 2012, and the supply reliability category area boundaries had not been revised since the development of the category areas in 2007.

The purpose of the Regulator's 2024 review was to determine whether the GSL arrangements, and supply reliability category boundaries, remained appropriate or whether any changes should be introduced. The review did not extend to consideration of revisions to the supply reliability categories themselves or the supply reliability standards prescribed in the Tasmanian Electricity Code.

As part of its review, the Regulator prepared a Consultation Paper outlining proposed changes to the GSL Scheme, including updating the supply reliability category boundaries, and introducing amendments to GSL Guideline, Version 3. Assessment of the supply reliability category boundaries was based upon the principle used in 2007 that electricity use density is the appropriate measure to establish both reliability category standards and community boundaries.

The final GSL Guideline, Version 4, along with supply reliability category boundary maps, was published on the OTTER website on 1 July 2024, commencing on that date.

2006 Development of the Distribution Network Performance Standards

A joint working group of the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, Aurora Energy Pty Ltd and the Office of Energy Planning and Conservation is proposing new standards for electricity distribution in Tasmania.

In February 2007 the Working Group released its Final Report including recommended reliability standards:

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Final Report Summary of Proposals and Overview (1Mb)

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Final Report Appendices (1Mb)

The proposed standards differentiate 101 discrete reliability regions within Tasmania, which may be viewed in the following documents:

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Reliability Areas North West (5Mb)

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Reliability Areas North East (4Mb)

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Reliability Areas South (4Mb)

In November 2006 the Working Group released its Draft Report for public comment:

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Draft Report Summary of Proposals and Overview (1Mb)

Distribution Network Reliability Standards Draft Report Appendices (1Mb)

The following submissions were received in response to the Draft Report:

Aurora Submission on Distribution Reliability Standards December 2006 (75Kb)

Dennis Crawford Submission on Distribution Reliability Standards November 2006 (14Kb)

Department of Economic Development Submission on Distribution Reliability Standards November 2006 (677Kb)

Energy Australia Submission on Distribution Reliability Standards January 2007 (1Mb)

ESC Submission on Distribution Reliability Standards November 2006 (690Kb)