The Commerce Commission today released its revised draft input methodologies determination for electricity distribution services for technical consultation. This is expected to be the last consultation step before the input methodologies for electricity distribution services are finalised.

The draft decisions for the input methodologies were consulted on from June to September this year. A consultation update paper outlining the key changes to the draft input methodologies determination is being released with the revised draft determination.

The Commission is seeking submissions on whether the revised draft determination gives effect to the updated draft decisions. Submissions on the revised draft determination are due in two stages.   Submissions on Parts 1 to 4 (and associated Schedules) of the revised draft determination are due by 5pm on Friday 12 November 2010 and submissions on Part 5 (and associated Schedules) are due by 5pm on Friday 19 November 2010. Once the Commission has considered submissions on the revised draft determination, it will finalise the input methodologies by 31 December 2010.

The revised draft input methodologies determination for electricity distribution services, along with the consultation update paper, can be accessed on the Commission's website at www.comcom.govt.nz/input-methodologies

 
Background

The purpose of input methodologies is to promote certainty for suppliers and consumers in relation to the rules, requirements and processes applying to the regulation, or proposed regulation, of goods or services under Part 4 of the Commerce Act 1986.

Electricity distribution services are subject to information disclosure and default/customised price-quality regulation under Part 4.

Draft decisions for input methodologies for electricity distribution services were released for consultation on 18 June 2010 and 2 July 2010. Since then, the Commission has:

  • considered all submissions and cross submissions received on its draft input methodologies for electricity distribution services; and
  • revised its draft input methodologies determination for electricity distribution services.