The Working Group brings together eleven representatives from across the energy ecosystem, including developers, electricity wholesale traders and financial intermediaries, retailers, and demand‑side and large consumer representatives.
The group will work collaboratively to shape how the initial Electricity Services Entry Mechanism (ESEM) contracts should look and operate in practice, drawing on deep market experience to support investment in Australia’s future electricity system.
The industry‑led Working Group is being convened by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), ASL, and in an observing capacity, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).
The Working Group will commence meetings in early May 2026 and will meet over several months, undertaking workshops, technical analysis and broader consultation with the energy industry. The Working Group is expected to deliver recommended commercial contract term sheets by November 2026, with final contract templates to be developed in 2027.
The group will be led by an independent facilitator, L.E.K. Consulting, and supported by the Convening Group.
The establishment of the Working Group follows the Energy and Climate Ministerial Council’s commissioning of the National Electricity Market Wholesale Market Settings Review (the NEM Review), which examined how Australia’s wholesale electricity market can support the transition to renewables while maintaining reliability and affordability. ECMC will further consider the ESEM over the course of 2027, with implementation still subject to approval.
The NEM Review recommended that industry play a central role in designing the new contracts, building on the successful pilot co‑design process undertaken during the Review.
More information about the industry‑led electricity contract co‑design process is available on the ASL website.
Quotes attributable to Nevenka Codevelle, CEO, ASL
“As Ministers and governments continue work on NEM reform and ESEM design, we are pleased to see such a strong and diverse group of market representatives come together to co‑design the first tranche of ESEM contracts.”
“The working group members bring deep, practical experience from across the electricity and financial markets, which will be critical to developing contracts that work in the real world and support timely investment.”
“This Working Group is a key step in ensuring the ESEM is underpinned by contracts shaped by industry expertise and market realities, helping position the scheme for long-term success, and supporting the future of Australia’s electricity market.”
Working group members
- Tom Arnold, ACEN Australia
- Ally Bonakdar, NAB
- Paul Curnow, Akaysha Energy
- Stephanie Easton, Iberdrola Australia
- Paul Grzinic, Aurora Energy
- Nick Hawke, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
- Declan Kelly, Flow Power
- Andrew Mulder, RWE
- Jialin Shen, Ampyr
- Daniel Teng, Origin Energy
- Andrew Wilkins, SA Water
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