The Information Exchange Committee (IEC) and the Retail Market Executive Committee (RMEC) are executive-level industry committees that provide recommendations and advice to AEMO on retail market developments.
The IEC is a body prescribed under the National Electricity Rules, and is responsible for recommending B2B strategies and procedures.
The RMEC is a body that was established to advise on strategies and procedures for non-B2B NEM retail market processes.
As a result of convergence of retail market projects across B2B and other retail market programs (e.g. metrology and MSATS), the IEC and RMEC hold joint committee meetings (generally bi-monthly).
The IEC is supported by the following industry reference groups:
- B2B & MSATS Reference Group (BMRG)
The RMEC is supported by two industry reference groups:
RESULT OF CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE IEC (2 May 2011)
Pursuant to the Information Exchange Committee (IEC) Election Procedures, a call for nominations was made on 2 May 2011 to fill the following vacancies on the IEC (from 1 July 2011):
- One member representing Local Retailers/Market Customers (3 year term)
- One member representing DNSPs (3 year term)
- One member representing DNSPs (1 year term)
- One independent member (3 year term)
Nominations closed on Friday 27 May 2011. As a result of the call for nominations, AEMO advises the election unopposed of the following nominees to the IEC:
Local Retailers/Market Customer member (elected unopposed):
- Alex Cruickshank, Head of Energy Regulation, AGL Energy (3 year term commencing 1 July 2011)
DNSP members (elected unopposed):
- Brendan Bloore, General Manager Customer Services, Powercor (3 year term commencing 1 July 2011)
- Keith Yates, Executive Manager Major Connections and Metering, Ausgrid (1 year term commencing 1 July 2011)
An election was conducted in relation to 2 nominations received for;
- One independent member position (3 year term)
The ballot was conducted commencing on 14 June 2011 and closing on Tuesday 28 June 2011. The nominee with the highest number of votes who is elected to the vacant Independent Member position is Peter Carruthers from Jarosite Consulting. He is appointed from 1 July 2011 for a 3 year term.
Information on the election process is provided in the IEC Election Procedures (see below).
IEC & RMEC MEMBER DETAILS
There are eight members of the IEC:
- three members represent Local Retailers and Market Customers
- three members represent Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs)
- two independent members
There are seven members of the RMEC:
- three members represent Local Retailers and Market Customers
- three members represent Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs)
- one AEMO member
IEC and RMEC elections are held:
- annually coincident with the expiry of terms and new members are elected for three year terms, and
- as vacancies arise through other means and new members are appointed for the remainder of the existing term.
Contact details for IEC and RMEC members (including the IEC and RMEC Secretary) are contained in the document below.
IEC AND RMEC ANNUAL REPORT (31 December 2011)
The IEC and RMEC have worked jointly in providing guidance and governance to retail market activities since 2006. As a result, since then the committees have prepared joint Annual Reports.
The IEC and RMEC annual report is for the calendar year and includes a review of the committees' operations; a review of reference group operations; membership of the committees and reference groups; and matters impacting the retail market. The published annual report also satisfies the committees' respective reporting obligations under the IEC and RMEC Operating Manuals. The full report and the Executive Summary from the report are published below.
IEC & RMEC OPERATING MANUALS
The respective Operating Manuals for the IEC and RMEC set out the processes under which each committee operates, including:
- provisions for committee meetings
- management of any conflicts of interest
- the requirement for committee members to consult their constituents on items being discussed at committee meetings
- publication requirements for Annual Reports
IEC & RMEC ELECTION PROCEDURES
The respective Election Procedures for the IEC and RMEC set out provisions for:
- nominating members
- member qualifications
- election processes
- process for amending the Election Procedures and Operating Manual
IEC WORKS PROGRAM
The IEC Works Program details activities undertaken and overseen by the IEC and forms a part of an overall Retail Market Works Program. The Program is prepared and published in accordance with Rules 7.2A.2(g).4 and 7.2A.2(h).