Emergency management

AEMO’s electricity emergency arrangements provide a framework for the coordination of electricity emergencies across the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Emergency response processes for the NEM are outlined in the fact sheet below.

These arrangements – which are based on national emergency management principles established by Emergency Management Australia – outline the roles and responsibilities of AEMO, government, and industry during an energy emergency.

This is key in ensuring the NEM and its participants respond to power system emergency situations in a way that protects:

• The safety of employees and the public.
• The continuity of supply to customers.
• The security of the power system.

AEMO’s national electricity emergency responsibilities are outlined in the Power System Emergency Management Plan, while in Victoria AEMO has additional responsibilities under the Victorian Energy Emergency Communications Protocol.

Emergency Protocol

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Protocol were developed by the Jurisdictions, that is, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and AEMO, to co-ordinate actions to be taken under individual state legislation to manage power system security emergencies.

Market Suspension

Market Suspension AEMO may declare the spot market to be suspended in a region under clause 3.14.3 of the National Electricity Rules.

AEMO's Guide to Market Suspension in the NEM provides an overview of the market suspension process, with various links to supporting information.