4. Summary of Options

Review of Section 62 of the Electricity Act 1992 "Continuance of Supply" (2013 review): Discussion Document

[ Last Updated 20 August 2007 ]

40. A number of potential options are outlined in the table below.

41. Each option is discussed in more detail in section 5. Under each we outline indicative impacts for key stakeholders, and put some issues and questions on which we seek your feedback

Option	Brief description
a. Continuance of obligation to maintain line function services with no expiry date.	Subsection 6 of section 62 is repealed so that line function services must be supplied in perpetuity.
b. Continuance of obligation to maintain supply, using lines or alternatives, with no expiry date	Subsection 6 of section 62 is repealed so that services must be supplied in perpetuity, but lines companies can choose whether this is by lines or through an alternative method such as remote area power system (RAPS).
c. Continuance of obligation to maintain line function services expires but lines companies provide information on intentions in advance	Requirement for lines companies to provide information on intentions and notification if they intend a change in, or removal of, supply to consumers.
d. Continuance of obligation to maintain line function services expires but lines companies assist transition from lines supply to alternative.	Requirement for lines companies to assist in management of a transition to alternative provision where they wish to no longer maintain "uneconomic" lines.
e. Continuance of obligation to maintain supply, using lines or alternatives, for a limited time beyond 2013.	2013 date in subsection 6 is changed, and section 62 continues until a new expiry date. Lines companies could maintain supply via alternatives or lines.
f. Continuance of supply, using lines or alternatives, with no expiry date but subsidy is from all electricity users.	The subsidy required to maintain connections on uneconomic lines is recovered from all electricity users.