Submissions will open on 7 September 2026 and close on 25 September 2026.
The System Operator is proposing updates to the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) to implement the new Emergency Reserve ancillary service.
Background information
The ASPP sets out the commercial and technical requirements for ancillary service providers to meet. The current version does so for instantaneous reserves, frequency keeping, black start, voltage support and over-frequency reserves.
In March the Electricity Authority decided to introduce a new ancillary service - Emergency Reserve - to strengthen power system reliability by enabling paid demand-response during acute system stress events. Emergency Reserve will be the last tool available to the System Operator before instructed involuntary demand management. The System Operator is now working to implement that decision in our operational tools and processes, and the commercial arrangements with providers that will be governed by the ASPP.
Feedback received during this consultation will inform the final amendment proposal that Transpower, as System Operator, will submit to the Authority later in 2026. A new ASPP will take effect once it has been approved by the Authority.
Consultation process
The consultation period is three weeks commencing 7 September 2026. Submissions are due by 5pm on 25 September 2026. This will be followed by a one week period for cross-submissions. Cross-submissions are due by 5pm on 2 October 2026.
Please send submissions and cross-submissions to [email protected]. We will acknowledge receipt of all submissions and cross-submissions.
Consultation Documents