We have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place to maintain system security and services to Aotearoa New Zealand. We will be using our usual channels for industry communication during this time and will use this webpage to publish updates or additional COVID-19 related information.
Latest update and messages
22 September 2021
As Auckland transitions to Covid Alert Level 3, the System Operator today requested market participants update it regarding expected changes in load and asks participants to check the accuracy of their bid and offer quantities and adjust as necessary to ensure its demand forecasts are as accurate as possible.
CAN COVID-19 Level 3: Expected changes to load in the Aucklandregion [ 130.15 KB ]
7 September 2021
The System Operator today requested market participants update it regarding expected changes in load associated with the change in Alert Levels across the motu. This request is designed to illicit more accurate data on which to base demand forecasts.
CAN COVID-19 Level 2: Expected changes in Load [ 253.78 KB ]
1 September 2021
The System Operator is restoring the value of AUFLS exempt industrial demand back to 380MW (from 320MW) in the Reserve Management Tool. The change will become effective from 00:00, 02/09/2021.
CAN Change in the North Island load not providing AUFLS due toreduction in industrial load at COVID level 4 [ 132.94 KB ]
The System Operator today requested market participants update it regarding expected changes in load associated with the change in Alert Levels across the motu. This request is designed to illicit more accurate data on which to base demand forecasts.
CAN COVID-19 Level 3 and 4: Expected changes in Load [ 393.04 KB ]
24 August 2021
The System Operator today requested Distributors for the North Island or the Grid Owner for the South Island raise with it any concerns they have around meeting their AUFLS obligation arising from changes to the load profile affecting the proportion of armed AUFLS compared to total system load.
CAN COVID-19 Response: Automatic under-frequency load shedding(AUFLS) provision [ 305.22 KB ]
The System Operator also requested market participants notify it of any changes in industrial demand greater than 50MW 24 hours in advance of these occurring so that it can make appropriate adjustment to forecasting.
CAN COVID-19 Response: Notifying System Operator of 50MW or morechanges in industrial demand [ 299.26 KB ]
19 August 2021
The System Operator will reduce the value of AUFLS exempt industrial demand from 380 MW to 320 MW in the Reserve Management Tool (RMT) reflecting a reduction in industrial load observed due to the COVID level 4 lockdown. AUFLS is the key control in the System Operators response to avoid cascade failure for an extended contingent event (ECE) such as the total loss of the HVDC Bipole or other major non credible event.
CAN Change in the North Island load not providing AUFLS 4040405711.pdf [ pdf 131.67 KB ]
The System Operator and Grid Owner also held an industry conference on 19 August 2021 to update the sector on how the New Zealand Grid Balance demand forecasting tool is affected by both the record high demand of 9 August and load reductions associated with the move to National Alert Level 4. A CAN was also issued on this topic.
NZGB slides 19 Aug.pdf [ pdf 276.7 KB ]
CAN NZGB Short Term Load Forecast 4040405635.pdf [ pdf 469.07 KB ]
17 August 2021
The system operator is monitoring changes in demand due to COVID-19 level 4 lock-down, and will be adjusting our load forecast accordingly over the coming days. Here is the link to the CAN [ pdf 305.89 KB ].
Related CANs
| Date | CAN |
|---|---|
| 17 Aug 2021 | CAN COVID-19 Level 4 Expected changes in Load [ pdf 305.89 KB ] |
| 19 Aug 2021 | CAN Change in the North Island load not providing AUFLS [ pdf 131.67 KB ] |
Updates from 2020
Useful links
Our usual communications will also include COVID-19 Response related content where relevant
- Market Insights which provides weekly market reports
- Security of Supply page and weekly updates
- New Zealand Generation Balance (NZGB)
- Planned Outage Coordination Process (POCP)
