North-West Interconnected System
The NWIS comprises interconnected electricity generation, transmission and distribution assets linking the major towns of Port Hedland and Karratha, and extending inland through Rio Tinto’s network. See NWIS System Map
Major electricity customers in the NWIS include the port operations of BHP, FMG, Roy Hill and other miners, Rio Tinto’s port operations and inland mines, and industrial, commercial and residential loads.
Regulatory Framework
The Pilbara regulatory framework gives the ISO, NSPs and other persons (rules participants) powers and responsibilities in order to:
- facilitate access to the covered networks to promote competition and
- provide for the integrated operation of the various networks, to maintain and improve power system security and reliability.
Pilbara networks are regulated under Part 8A of the Electricity Industry Act 2004. The regulatory framework consist of:
- Electricity Industry (Pilbara Networks) Regulations 2021, which, amongst other things, empowers the Pilbara Networks Rules, and names Pilbara ISOCo as the Pilbara Independent System Operator.
- The Pilbara Networks Access Code, which establishes a light-handed access regime to facilitate third party access to covered electricity networks in the Pilbara.
- The Pilbara Networks Rules, which establish rules for the operation, management, security and reliability of the NWIS, and the functions of the Pilbara ISOCo.