In 2025 the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), in consultation with AEMO and Western Power, commenced a review of the NCESS framework to ensure that the process followed by the responsible parties in identifying the need to procure NCESS remains effective and fit for purpose.
The focus of the Review was on whether the NCESS framework continues to be consistent with the State Electricity Objective and was conducted in two stages:
- Stage one focused on strengthening the trigger conditions for the NCESS procurement process to provide clarity, better align with planning and operational signals, and identify emerging needs in a timely manner; and
- Stage two focused on necessary changes to facilitate the growth of Network Support Services (NSS) to avoid the need for network augmentation and minimize costs to consumers where possible.
The first stage of the Review informed the development of amendments to the trigger conditions in Section 3.11A of the Electricity System and Market (ESM) Rules, which were consulted on in late 2025, and made and commenced by the Minister for Energy.
On 10 February 2026, DEED published a Consultation Paper that contains the proposed outcomes of the second stage of the Review. The window for submitting feedback on the Consultation Paper closed 10 March 2026. Stakeholder submissions received are available below.
NCESS Framework Review Information Paper and Exposure Draft
DEED has published an Information Paper setting out the final outcomes of the Review which include:
- A truncated procurement process to allow Western Power to utilise the NCESS framework in a more efficient and flexible manner for repetitive NSS procurements, removing unnecessary duplication, time and costs
- Removing barriers for NSS provided by aggregated distribution connected Electric Storage Resources
- Support for distribution based NSS necessary for regional reliability by providing clarity on the registration requirements for proponents and their facilities
Implementation of the final review outcomes requires amendments to the ESM Rules. Therefore, DEED has also published an Exposure Draft of proposed ESM Amending Rules for public consultation.
Stakeholders are invited to provide written feedback on the Exposure Draft before 5:00pm (AWST) on 29 October 2026 by submitting comments to energymarkets@deed.wa.gov.au. Late submissions may not be considered.
The Information Paper and Exposure Draft can be found below.
Any submissions received will be published unless requested otherwise
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