Download a PDF version of the News Service 105
1. AUGUST ONLINE JOBS UP
The National Skills Commission (NSC) reports in its 14 September news service that online job advertisements rebounded in August 2022.
“The NSC’s Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) shows job advertisements for August this year increased by 2.6% (or 7,700 advertisements) to 301,100, after a decline in July. Over the past 12 months there has been sustained growth in recruitment with job advertisements up by 37.7% (or 82,400).
Recruitment activity increased across all states and territories last month except in South Australia (down by 1.6% or 260 job ads), which despite a decline in job advertisements in August 2022 has recorded growth of 23.9% (or 3,000 job ads) over the last twelve months.
The strongest growth in the month was recorded in the Northern Territory, where recruitment activity was up by 11.2% (or 320 job ads), followed by Victoria (up by 8.9% or 6,700 job ads) and Tasmania (up by 4.8% or 210 job ads).
In comparison to recruitment activity before the COVID-19 pandemic, online job advertisements are up by 78.9% (132,800 job ads). This growth is reflected across all states and territories, with increases ranging from 35.0% (2,000 job ads) in the ACT to 154% (2,700 job ads) in Tasmania.
The detailed release of the IVI, including occupational, regional and skill level data, will be available on Wednesday 21 September 2022.”
2. GRILL’D BID TO KEEP ‘HAMBURGER UNIVERSITY’ SECRET AMID POOR RESULTS
Economics correspondent, at the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Ronald Mizen wrote an exclusive report on the 15 September 2022, on taxpayer funded traineeship subsidies being used to subsidise wages. The article states, “Grill’d has sought to keep secret the details of the $16.6 million in taxpayer funds it received to subsidise the wages of 2800 traineeships, amid figures showing a dropout rate for hospitality qualifications at close to 40 per cent.
The popular burger chain, which requires all new employees to sign up to a trainee program dubbed “hamburger university”, was the most prolific user of the Coalition’s flagship $5.8 billion trainee and apprentice wage subsidy, but has faced criticism about the quality and structure of its offering.
Documents released to The Australian Financial Review under Freedom of Information this week revealed since the subsidy commenced in October 2020, the overall contract drop out rate has edged close to 25 per cent.
Hospitality and retail certificate III qualifications – which were the third and forth most claimed subsidy – have, so far, recorded the highest cancellation or withdrawals. Almost 40 per cent of trainees who commenced a certificate III in hospitality dropped out, while in retail the rate was about 30 per cent.
Grill’d, along with McDonald’s franchisees, has sought to keep secret the number of staff that have dropped out of taxpayer-backed qualifications, and now has 30 days to appeal a decision to make the information public.
…
According to the Department of Employment, a lag in reporting meant the final figures could be much higher, raising fresh questions about the efficacy of the multibillion-dollar scheme, though in the documents the department said it was “too early” to determine whether the subsidy had been effective.
Drop-out rates for both trade and non-trade apprentices and trainees one year from commencement are usually about 33 per cent, climbing to 40 per cent for non-trade three years out and 50 per cent trade apprentices.
…
Drive up completion rates
Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor criticised the Coalition program, which was hugely popular among employers, saying there was no point boosting apprenticeships numbers if those already in the system were not being supported and leave before they complete their qualification.
“The government will explore options to improve the apprenticeship support system, drive up completion rates, and is committed to creating more opportunities for training and delivering more secure jobs,” he said.
…
Certificates required to become electricians and carpenters were the most popular qualifications by places funded, and total taxpayer dollars spent.
About $220 million went to 17,000 certificate III electrical apprenticeships, while $195 million went to funding carpentry qualifications; each had a below-average dropout rate of 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
3. ASQA EXTENDS TRANSITION FOR UET TDR TRAINING PACKAGE
The Australian Skills quality Authority (ASQA) has approved an extenstion to a series of qualifications in the the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training package.
The extension has been approved to 31 July 2023 for the following qualifications:
- UET20319 Certificate II in ESI – Powerline Vegetation Control
- UET20619 Certificate II in ESI – Asset Inspection
- UET30519 Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Transmission Overhead
- UET30619 Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Distribution Overhead
- UET30719 Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Rail Traction
- UET30819 Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Distribution Cable Jointing
- UET30919 Certificate III in ESI – Remote Community Utilities Worker
- UET40419 Certificate IV in ESI – Network Systems
- UET40519 Certificate IV in ESI – Power Systems Substations
- UET50219 Diploma of ESI – Power Systems
- UET60219 Advanced Diploma of ESI – Power Systems
ASQA’s reported the decision on its website, 16 September 2022, stating that, “The decision was made with support from Australian Industry Standards in their role as the Skills Service Organisation; Essential Energy; State Training Authorities in NSW, WA, QLD, TAS and VIC; ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Industry Reference Committee; Queensland ITAB which includes feedback from TAFE Qld and Energy Skills Qld and feedback from RTOs delivering these qualifications.
The qualifications in the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training package listed above will remain on RTOs scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period unless the RTO chooses to withdraw it from scope prior.”
…
“Where ASQA has approved an extended transition period, that arrangement applies to all RTOs delivering the specific training product to the identified learner cohort (e.g., plumbing apprentices in a specific jurisdiction where the qualification has been superseded), regardless of who made the application.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE
4. WOOLWORTHS REFRIGERATION APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM – NSW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Woolworths is looking for people who bring a passion to learn the trade of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC), a keen attitude and a focus on its customers.
Are you looking:
- for a new career path or first step into the workforce this is a great opportunity with NO EXPERIENCE required
- to develop skills to become a qualified refrigeration technician
- to get paid to work and study via an apprenticeship pathway
- to gain a nationally accredited Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration on completion
- to gain access to the latest refrigeration technologies, support and training
If you have a willingness to learn and a commitment to a full Apprenticeship lifecycle of 4 years which incorporates an on-and-off-job training competency development program including study commitments and an ability to travel to different sites, including from site to site throughout the day, then Woolworths is keen to recruit you.
Woolworths launched their refrigeration apprenticeship program in 2020 in order to address the anticipated increase in work to install and maintain environmentally friendly cutting-edge refrigeration technology across their stores. Additionally due to the shortage of skilled tradespeople and an ageing workforce, Woolworths are committed to support the refrigeration industry in Australia.
Achieving diverse and inclusive teams is a priority with apprentices ranging in age from 18 – 36, they come from varied backgrounds, with previous careers including a former teacher, nurse and lawyer!
The apprentice program encourages females to see their future in the refrigeration trade and currently 30% of refrigeration apprentices are female.
To learn more about this opportunity across Australia, use the QR code or visit the following URL: WOOLWORTHS REFRIGERATION APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
APPLY FOR APPRENTICESHIP IN NSW NOW
5. SMART AND SKILLED UPDATE – NO. 183 SEP 2022
Smart and Skilled Update No. 183 (DOWNLOAD) – September 2022, covers the following:
- Smart and Skilled Application Process for 2023-24
For more information visit: FUNDING AND SUPPORT – SMART AND SKILLED
Or, for technical support in relation to this update, contact Training Market Customer Support at Training.Market@det.nsw.edu.au
For the Smart and Skilled – NSW Skills List visit: NSW SKILLS LIST – SMART AND SKILLED
6. NSW HBA BUILDING REFORMS – HAVE YOUR SAY
NSW Fair Trading has advised that the NSW Government is undertaking a reform of the building laws.
The promotion states, “The NSW Government has proposed wide-ranging reforms that aim to ensure people can own, occupy and use compliant, safe and resilient buildings.”
It advises that the reform proposals are now available for public consultation. There are two public consultations.
- Reforming building laws in NSW
This consultation is open until Friday, 25 November at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/reforming-building-laws.
- More compliant and fire-safe buildings
This consultation is open until Friday, 7 October at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/more-compliant-and-fire-safe-buildings.
Have your say
NSW Fair Trading invites you to give us your views using the two have your say consultation pages. You can:
- find more information about the proposed changes and who they impact
- access copies of the proposed Bills, Regulations and Regulatory Impact Statements
- give feedback on all the reforms or just the ones you are interested in, by undertaking the following:
- complete a survey
- make a formal submission using an online form on questions in the Regulatory Impact Statements
- complete quick polls
- check on frequently asked questions and other updates.
All feedback will help ensure the reforms meet the industry’s and community’s needs and interests.
For more information email: HBAReview@customerservice.nsw.gov.au
7. TRAINING.GOV GETS A MAKEOVER
The training.gov.au (TGA) website has had a makeover and improved its search engine capability.
TGA is the national register of vocational education and training (VET), and a very important regulatory and information instrument for a range of key stakeholders including career aspirants and prospective learners.
Information held on the training.gov.au website includes:
- Nationally recognised training such as: training packages, qualifications, units of competency, skill sets and accredited courses.
- Registered training organisations who are approved to deliver nationally recognised VET training.
The updated home page includes an improved search function that allows filtering and exporting of search results.
Whilst the changes seem more cosmetic in terms of look and navigation, TGA is to be commended at least for improving the search function, a perennial weakness of a potentially very powerful database of occupational standards and qualifications.
Hopefully, more effort will be directed in the future at improving the functionality and useability of the array of components that make up training packages, qualifications, units of competency, skill sets and accredited courses.
Visit the latest Training.Gov version HERE
8. NSW SKILLS SHORTAGES SURVEY
The NSW Department of Education is conducting a survey on skill shortages. Titled as the NSW Skills Shortages Project, the Department is conducting a survey of stakeholders to learn more about the extent and causes of skills shortages in NSW, especially in regional areas.
Stakeholders are invited to complete this survey to contribute to the project and share their knowledge about skills shortages.
Who should complete this survey?
This survey is intended to capture the expertise of those working in training, regional development, investment and/or employment who have insights to share about the issue of skills shortages in NSW.
How long will it take?
The survey may take up to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the number of regions and industries you work with.
When should I complete the survey?
The survey is open for responses from now until 5pm Tuesday 20 September 2022.
How will my information be used?
Your responses will be treated confidentially.
Stakeholders are invited to forward this survey to other colleagues or contacts who meet the above criteria. The survey link is shareable.
For questions about this survey, please contact anna.hush@det.nsw.edu.au or chrys.bourlias@det.nsw.edu.au.
For questions about the NSW Skills Shortages Project, please contact nssp@det.nsw.edu.au.
The NSW Skills Shortage Project is a joint initiative of the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation and Skills Policy, NSW Department of Education.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SKILLS SHORTAGE SURVEY
9. MAE CAREERS PATHFINDERS SYDNEY SHOWCASE DAY FOR FEMALES
The Agrifood and Electrotechnology ITAB’s will host FREE showcase days for Manufacturing, Agrifood and Electrotechnology (MAE) industries in partnership with the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre.
An exclusive event for female participants aged 16-64, careers advisors & influencers.
Held on location, Building S40, Horticulture Road, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Richmond NSW, attendees will have the opportunity to:
- meet and talk with female industry leaders involved in protected cropping, beekeeping, pollination, energy and electrotechnology industries
- gain hands-on experience
- access the latest career information & learn more about rewarding occupations
- ask questions and have them answered by industry experts
- register and reserve a place for obligation free opportunities to do work experience with local MAE industries
- free networking lunch
Showcase day participants numbers are limited and registrations are essential.
WHEN: Wednesday, 7 December 2022, 9:30 am to 2.00pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW FOR THIS FREE AND EXCITING EVENT
For more information contact Melissa by email mae@agrifooditab.com.au or call 0421830056; or visit the agrifooditab website
NOTE:
A MAE CAREERS PATHFINDERS SHOWCASE DAY IS ALSO BEING PLANNED FOR PARKES WITH ESSENTIAL ENERGY
WHEN: Thursday, 1 December 2022, 9:30 am to 2.00pm
For more information visit: MAE Careers Pathfinders Showcase Day- Parkes
10. 2023 NSW WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you know the next NSW Woman of the Year?
Nominate an incredible woman today!
Women NSW has announced that Nominations for the 2023 NSW Women of the Year Awards are now open in the following categories:
- NSW Woman of Excellence Award
- NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year
- NSW Community Hero
- NSW Regional Woman of the Year
- NSW Young Woman of the Year
- The One to Watch Award for girls aged 7 to 17
Who can be nominated?
- We want to hear about extraordinary women and girls in our communities from all walks of life.
- We’re looking for ground-breaking thinkers, unsung heroes and women who challenge inequality, innovate and inspire.
- The Awards celebrate the incredible women and girls among us who improve the lives of people in NSW.
Nominations close at 11.59pm on Friday 30 September 2022
The Premier’s Award for NSW Woman of the Year is selected by the Premier from the winners of the above categories.
The winners will be announced at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony on 9 March 2023.
For more information, email WomenOfTheYear@dpc.nsw.gov.au
Eligibility Criteria and Terms & Conditions can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/awards-and-events/nsw-women-of-year-awards.
11. BEST IN THE STATE MAKE THEIR MARK AT NSW TRAINING AWARDS
The 2022 NSW Training Awards winners were honoured for being the best on the 16 September 2022 at an evening’s gala event, Sydney Town Hall.
Minister for Skills and Training, Alister Henskens attended the event and congratulated all the award winners for making their mark in their respective categories, showcasing the many opportunities and pathways vocational education and training can offer people from all walks of life.
The Minister said, “Our award winners are the best in the State and they will all go on to be strong ambassadors for vocational education and training in NSW.”
NSW has the most diverse economy in Australia, and the students, teachers and service providers represented at this year’s Awards are proof that our State’s training system is leading the nation.
These are people and organisations who invest in their local communities, boost our economy, create new jobs, deliver better services and build a brighter future for NSW.”
Inverell metal fabricator Lachlan Butler was named Apprentice of the Year for plying his trade of Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade at BOSS Engineering.
Winner of the 2022 Women in Trades went to Lucinda Shilcock, employed by Novaskill in the Hunter and Central Coast completed the Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Electrician at TAFE NSW.
Thanks to Lucinda’s tenacity and the visual, hands-on learning style that VET provided, Lucinda excelled throughout her apprenticeship and is proud to say she’s now a qualified electrician. …
Selected to speak at the Women In Trades event at Kotara High School, Lucinda has not only proved to be a skilled electrician, but a captivating role-model to women and the Aboriginal community.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD WINNERS
12. CURIOUS MINDS – PROMOTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS IN SCIENCE
The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education Media Release of 14 September 2022, calls on prospective girls with an interest in science to apply for the 2022-23 round of the successful and popular mentor program, Curious Minds.
The Media Release states, “Curious Minds supports more female students to ignite their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
I [Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education] encourage Year 9 and 10 girls who are interested in STEM and who want to expand their skills, confidence and scientific networks to apply for the 2022-23 program.
We know that women are less likely than men to pursue a higher education in STEM.
Women make up less than a quarter of students studying STEM at university and in VET.
In 2019, women accounted for just 18 per cent of enrolments in engineering and related technologies and 19 per cent of enrolments in Information Technology.
Many of our future jobs will require STEM skills.
Curious Minds plays an important role in developing pathways for girls to become the next generation of female scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.
More than 500 girls have participated in the Curious Minds program since it began in 2014, with more than 330 coming from regional, rural, and remote areas. …
Applications for the 2022-23 Curious Minds program are open from 1-30 September.”
13. ELECTRICAL CAPSTONE TEST EQUIPMENT
CEO and Learning and Technical Consultant at Infinispark, Husnen Rupani, introduces the Installation Testing Faultboard for use with learners transitioning to becoming fully licensed Electricians.
The Installation Testing Faultboard is designed to provide a range of faults covering of the colloquially known capstone unit of competency and other related units which involved practice and assessment activities.
The Faultboard has the following features and benefits:
- 50 Sets of faults that go from single fault to 5 to 6 faults to allow for gamification and progression. Students get 51 unique testing opportunities
- Built-in touchscreen so you don’t need to worry about external devices like laptops or tablets
- Underground and Overheard connection selection to give students more experience with testing
- Battery operated, so you can wheel it from one workshop/classroom to another without carrying power cables, interface cables, laptops or tablets
- Safe isolation or LOTO procedure ready. This feature requires an external 24V AC supply
For more information watch the demonstration video from the URL link: Installation Testing Faultboard Demo video
13.1. ENGAGE LEARNERS WITH PRACSTREAMER
Imagine showing a practical demonstration to a group of 15 students, all at the same time. To make the practical training more engaging, Infinispark has designed a brand-new product called the PracStreamer.
The PracStreamer provides the opportunity to show a practical demonstration to a group of 15 students, all at the same time; recognising it is not an easy task.
It will allow you to stream your practical to a projector, TV or virtually.
Let’s say you are demonstrating a practical to a class of 15 students. 12 students are in the class, and 3 are attending remotely.
You have two options:
- Ask the 12 students to huddle around you. You know that majority of them will not be engaged, let alone the 3 that are remote.
- Break the class into groups of 3 or 4 and repeat the information multiple times. This is engaging, but time-consuming and inefficient.
The solution is the PracStreamer. You can choose what view to show your learners – Presenter View, Top View for practical demo or Tablet View for whiteboard explanations.
It’s like having a portable studio that’s ready to go in less than a minute!
There are 3 demonstration videos of the PracStreamer that cover the following:
– Introduction to the PracStreamer
– Ease of Setup (How long do you think it takes to set it up?)
– Ease of Use
REVIEW THE DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS HERE
14. NSW FAIR TRADING, SAFEWORK NSW INSPECTORS VISIT NSW CENTRAL WEST
SafeWork NSW has announced that NSW Fair Trading and SafeWork NSW are visiting the State’s Central West to conduct inspections of residential building worksites.
The announcement states, “The focus of inspectors will include looking for non-compliant building work, licensing and safety in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange.
They are also checking plumbing, gas and electrical tradespeople have a valid licence to conduct the work and apprentices are being supervised.
“These inspections help ensure people in regional areas have access to safe and compliant dwellings,” Department of Customer Service director for building and construction Matthew Whitton said.
“The community should have confidence developers and builders are being held to account on key elements such as waterproofing, structure and fire safety that can cause huge headaches financially and emotionally for homeowners down the track.
“NSW Fair Trading can issue a range of orders on residential apartment projects under construction, including the power to require work to stop.”
Inspectors are also planning audits of electrical businesses to check they have submitted the Certificate of Compliance for electrical work (CCEW) under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 and associated regulation.
15. AUSTRALIA TO BECOME CLEAN ENERGY SUPERPOWER
Editor, Sandra Rossi reports in the 14 September edition of Climate Control News (CCN) how Australia has an opportunity to become a clean energy superpower.
The article states, “Australia has the skills and talent to become a clean energy superpower but it will require significant training and education to design, build and operate modern energy infrastructure for the 21st century.
A Monash University report entitled Skilling the Energy Transition found Australia’s clean energy sector is unprepared for a period of extraordinary growth expected in the next two decades.
The report explored pathways into the clean energy workforce and provided a clear set of recommendations to address the barriers that limit the pool of skills and talent entering the industry.
The Australian clean energy industry currently employs around 30,000 people across large-scale renewable energy construction, operation and maintenance, and small-scale rooftop solar design and installation.
An additional 50,000 jobs will be created in the clean energy sector over the next 20 years but there are already shortages across many aspects of the existing workforce, particularly when it comes to engineers and electricians.
This shortfall could inhibit the enormous potential for job creation in clean energy, according to the deputy director of the Monash Energy Institute, Dr Roger Dargaville. …
“By 2035, 75 per cent of clean energy jobs could be in regional Australia with the right policy settings.”
The Skilling the Energy Transition report provides six key recommendations to address the current and growing skills gaps across the clean energy industry.
16. RECORD DESTRUCTION OF OZONE-DEPLETING GASES
The Australia Refrigeration Council (ARC) has issued a Media Release of 15 September 2022, proclaiming that Australia has set a new record for destroying ozone depleting refrigerant gases and removing them permanently from the ecosystem.
The Media Release states, “Australia’s refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry has celebrated World Ozone Day (16 September) by setting a new record for destroying ozone depleting refrigerant gases and removing them permanently from the ecosystem.
In the last financial year the industry destroyed more than three times as much R22, one of the most common ozone-depleting refrigerant gases, as in any of the previous five years.
More than 120 tonnes of R22 were recovered in 2020-21 and sent for destruction at the Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) plasma arc facility in Melbourne – the largest amount since it began to be reclaimed for re-use a decade ago.
By contrast, destruction rates of R22 in the previous five years ranged from 14 to 39 tonnes.
The record rate of R22 destruction is a milestone in the permanent removal of ozone-depleting gases by the 124,000 refrigeration technicians licensed by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).
ARC chief executive officer Glenn Evans said the record was a testament to the efforts of the entire RAC industry and to the legislation and regulations that underpin the licensing scheme.”
17. AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LARGE-SCALE HYDROGEN PLANT TO BE BUILT IN PILBARA
Editor, Sean Carroll reports in the 16 September 2022 edition of Electrical Connection that the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has conditionally approved $47.5 million towards ENGIE’s renewable hydrogen and ammonia project near Karratha in Western Australia.
The article states, “The project is one of the world’s largest renewable hydrogen plants built in the Pilbara.
The $87 million Yuri project includes a 10MW electrolyser to produce renewable hydrogen, an 18MW solar system to power the electrolyser and an 8MW/5MWh lithium-ion battery for firming and will supply hydrogen and electricity to Yara Pilbara Fertilisers at its neighbouring liquid ammonia facility. Once completed, the project will be Australia’s largest electrolyser, capable of producing up to 640 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year.
The project is supported by the Australian Government with a $47.5 million grant conditionally approved through ARENA’s Renewable Hydrogen Deployment Funding Round. The project is also receiving $2 million in funding from the Western Australian Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Fund as part of the WA’s Renewable Hydrogen Strategy.
The project is expected to reach financial close by the end of September. Construction will commence in October and be completed by early 2024.”
18. BATTERY MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO BOOST QLD ENERGY POTENTIAL
Manufactures’ Monthly reports in its 15 September 2022 edition that Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific (ESI), an Australian-owned renewable energy company, has broken ground on a new $70 million battery manufacturing centre in Maryborough, Queensland.
The articles states, “The facility is part of a series of developments with the potential to provide 20 per cent of Australia’s renewable energy storage needs and employ up to 500 highly-skilled workers across regional Queensland.
ESI director Stuart Parry said the project would deliver significant social and economic benefits to regional communities while helping to support the state’s renewable energy targets through the production of low-cost, environmentally friendly batteries for large-scale energy storage.
“We expect this Maryborough centre to be operational by 2024 and by 2026 expect to be in a position to deliver 400 megawatts of energy storage each year,” Parry said.”
19. PROCEEDINGS FILED AGAINST NZ ELECTRICITY CO
Electrical Comms Data (ECD) reports in its 13 September 2022 news edition that the New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has filed civil proceedings in the Auckland High Court against electricity lines company Vector Limited for failing to meet minimum reliability requirements for four consecutive years, leading to excessive electricity outages.
The article states, “Vector supplies electricity to more than half a million homes and businesses in the greater Auckland region.
The Commission is seeking financial penalties from Vector for failing to meet its network quality standards. These standards required Vector to stay within an annual reliability limit in two out of every three years.
As a regulated business, Vector must comply with the Commerce Commission’s regulations regarding its revenue and service standards. Service quality is measured by the average duration and frequency of electricity outages. The average frequency and duration of outages is reported annually, with results assessed against annual reliability limits.”
20. NEARLY 500 ROOFTOP SOLAR INSTALLS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED STC FRAUD
Sophie Vorrath, editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of sister site, Renew Economy writes in a 16 September 2022 article that the Clean Energy Regulator is investigating yet another potentially significant case of solar rebate fraud.
The article states, “Another potentially significant case of solar rebate fraud is under investigation by the Clean Energy Regulator, with search warrants executed this week on residential and commercial addresses connected to a Perth-based solar business.
The Regulator says the business is under investigation for allegedly fabricating information about the responsible installer and designer of almost 500 rooftop PV installations, worth around $1.5 million in Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), issued under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
CER general manager of compliance, Piet Powell, says the search warrants aim to uncover evidence of false information being provided to the Regulator, resulting in the improper creation of STCs, which are claimed by installers as a rebate.
“Agents, installers, and retailers who fail to adequately ensure that STCs are eligible for creation or are party to the provision of false and misleading information, may face criminal, civil or administrative action,” Powell said in a statement on Friday.”
21. WHAT WAS THE TOTAL COST OF ‘KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON’ ACROSS THE NEM IN JUNE?
Dan Lee (Analyst at Global-Roam) provides an excellent summary of the turbulent month of June 2022 in the National Electricity (NEM), in a WattClarity 16 September 2022 article. The article states, “June 2022 was a turbulent month in the NEM.
The AEMO has identified at least eight contributing factors for the extreme price outcomes that eventuated throughout the month, including:
- Rising global commodity prices;
- La Niña weather conditions – affecting both electricity supply and demand; and
- Several expected and unexpected plant outages
This culminated with the market operator suspending the market for nine days, an unprecedented move that made headlines across even the mainstream media.
Despite all of this, significant load-shedding was avoided and the lights stayed on across the five states that the NEM serves (QLD, NSW, VIC, SA and TAS). However only now is the picture becoming progressively clearer about what it all cost.
Below I have attempted to calculate each component of the system costs that occurred throughout June in order to provide an overall estimate. These calculations should act as a basis so that readers can begin to understand the total cost of what could be one of, if not the, most expensive months for wholesale electricity in this country.
Timeline of events in June 2022
In this article I will outline the six major components of the total cost for June.
- Component 1: Amount Paid for Energy
- Component 2: Amount Paid for FCAS (Frequency Control Ancillary Services)
- Component 3: RERT (Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader)
- Component 4: AEMC Compensation
- Component 5: AEMO Directions Compensation
- Component 6: AEMO Market Suspension Compensation
Estimated Total Cost
Adding together the numbers I have stated above, my preliminary estimate of the total cost of June 2022 is $6.77 billion. This figure excludes the yet-to-be-published AEMC compensation figure, but does include the total amount from pending claims under the two AEMO compensation schemes (which are provisional, hence yet to be finalised).
This number should serve as a gauge of how much money has begun to flow through the various market mechanisms to recoup total costs – the majority of which will eventually be paid for by electricity end-users. It should not be confused with the underlying profits of generators as I have not touched upon the cost of production for generators over this period.
22. APA GROUP TAPPED FOR BASSLINK
The Australian Pipeliner reports in its latest news of 13 September 2022, the Pipeline giant APA Group has been named preferred bidder for the sale of the electricity inter-connector Basslink.
The article states, it follows “a hotly contested six-week auction for the 370 km underwater electricity cable which connects the TAS and VIC grids.
The Basslink power cable venture was placed in receivership after an earlier attempt to sell it to APA Group stalled in November of 2021.
The venture, which was owned by Singapore’s Keppel Infrastructure Trust, have been suffering due to an ongoing dispute with monopoly customer Hydro Tasmania.
APA Group has emerged as a potential buyer for Basslink, the latter having an overdue $643.8 million loan from a syndicate of banks through a related entity, Premier Finance Trust Australia.
In a statement released on the 7 September 2022, APA Group expressed that it is now in discussions to seek to agree a binding transaction. There is no certainty those discussions will lead to a binding transaction being agreed or implemented.”