Reforms

On 4 September 2025, Minister Maley announced landmark reforms to the NT electricity market and system to deliver secure and reliable electricity to Territorians at least cost. To find out more, read the Minister’s Media Release.

The Territory Electricity Reform (TEM) program will be implemented through updates to the Electricity Reform Act 2000 (NT) and a new NT Electricity System and Market Operator Act 2025 (NT), and supporting regulatory instruments. A copy of the authorising legislation, passed by the legislative assembly on 23 October, is available at NT Legislation database.

Reform features

The key features of the reform program are:

• a whole-of-system plan called the Regulated Electricity System and Investment Plan (RESIP) to guide new electricity infrastructure development in the regulated electricity systems of Darwin-Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek;
• implementation of the ‘public procurement model’ in the Darwin-Katherine Electricity System, where a central buyer will be established;
• establishment of Territory Generation as the sole supplier of wholesale electricity services to the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek electricity systems;
• excision of system control and market operator functions  from Power and Water Corporation into NTESMO - an independent statutory corporation with responsibility for centralised system planning for each regulated electricity system, and centralised procurement in Darwin-Katherine; and
• changes to supporting governance arrangements, including establishing the rules for the operation of the system and market (TEM Rules), and assigning their administration to the Minister for Energy.

Benefits

• Centralised whole-of-system planning will help coordinate the future development of electricity infrastructure by determining the appropriate, size, type, location and timing of assets required to keep the grid stable and reliable while accommodating  consumer uptake of behind the meter solar.
• Centralised procurement and contracting in Darwin-Katherine electricity system will maximise bulk buying power, reducing contracting risk and bringing efficiencies into the system.
• Improved governance arrangements and clarity of entity roles and responsibilities will provide central policy coordination and enhance transparency and market integrity.

Policy development

The Department of Mining and Energy is implementing the market reforms, in close consultation with key stakeholders. An industry reference group (IRG) has commenced to provide feedback on detailed design of reform elements.

Contact us

For more information on the TEM reforms in the NT, please contact –

territoryelectricitymarket.dme@nt.gov.au