Submission to the Australian Energy Market Operator’s 2026 Draft Integrated System Plan

ATSE’s submission to the draft AEMO Integrated System Plan 2026 recognises the latest draft’s framework for Australia’s energy system that highlights the need to reduce the emissions profile of our energy system while maintaining an effective and reliable service. To refine the ISP, ATSE’s submission recommends anticipating challenges including planning delays and integration of consumer energy resources. ATSE’s submission encourages a technology-neutral approach including considering the possibility of future energy technologies and the impact of liquid fuels.  

ATSE’s recommendations

Recommendation 1: Ensure the 2026 Integrated System Plan clearly articulates the significant risks caused by planning delays and a lack of social licence for clean energy projects. 

Recommendation 2: Collaborate with and encourage state, territory and federal governments to act to speed up planning approval processes and support the clean energy sector to improve social licence. 

Recommendation 3: Include alternative scenarios within the ISP that evaluate the feasibility of trajectories without being entirely constrained by current government policies. 

Recommendation 4: Invest in digital monitoring and data infrastructure to validate assumptions and modelling underlying the 2026 ISP. 

Recommendation 5: Highlight the need for investment in research and development for future energy technologies that will be necessary beyond the ISP’s timeframe. 

Recommendation 6: Provide consideration of the impact of changing liquid fuels use on the broader energy system within the ISP. 

Recommendation 7: Work with energy providers to raise the profile of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) offerings by highlighting the benefits of VPPs for consumers. 

Recommendation 8: Support energy providers to offer vehicle-to-grid options for consumers to allow them to better manage their Consumer Energy Resources.