Welcome to Australian Energy Daily’s Czar Report for November - a high-level policy outlook for the month ahead, exclusive for subscribers.

Taylor's big energy sleepover

By Marion Rae

Angus Taylor is under the prime minister’s protection after failing to pick ministers off one by one to bypass the COAG Energy Council, amid other mishaps, while Scott Morrison will continue to make a play for the sensible centre on energy transition.

More regular under affable predecessor Josh Frydenberg, the first sleepover of the year for the nation’s energy ministers will be held in Perth, starting with a dinner on November 21, followed by a day of talks and the prospect of another showdown.

An update on plans to ship hydrogen to the world, how to best share the spoils of the 2019-20 ISP drafted by AEMO, and who’s doing the most to ease prices will be on the agenda.

Taylor is hoping to get an answer from Victoria’s Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio after offering to work with her to firm up the grid, despite slamming the state’s “premature closure” of coal-fired power stations, ban on gas, and “reckless targets”.

He has two UNGI projects for Victoria on his shortlist for funding through the A$1 billion CEFC-run Grid Reliability Fund, both gas generators – the APA Group’s plan for Dandenong and Alinta Energy’s in East Gippsland – with a decision possible within weeks.

TasNetworks wants to step in with a 1,500 MW extension cord, while D'Ambrosio has her eyes on fast-tracking infrastructure such as the A$1 billion KerangLink in north-west Victoria as part of the transmission required for Snowy 2.0, as identified by AEMO in its Integrated System Plan.

Have your say

While both federal and NSW politicians are off on a nuclear frolic this month, submissions to Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick’s inquiry into Australia’s oil and gas reserves are due with the Senate Economics References Committee on November 1, for a report due next year, as the South Australian tries to get oil and gas firms to pay tax.

Also due on November 1, the AER wants feedback on how large customers should opt-in to manage the liability for their load under Retailer Reliability Obligation.

Aiming to ease a tight gas market, Queensland’s new 30,000 km2 land release will open for bids on November 7 with more than 30% earmarked for domestic supply. The land parcels are near Roma, Longreach and Mount Isa across six basins – Bowen, Surat, Galilee, Adavale, Eromanga and Millungera.

A Senate inquiry into the so-called 'big stick' legislation must report back by November 7 as Taylor seeks to push the bill through when the upper house resumes on November 11. Both houses return for the final week of November, allowing parliament to rubber stamp any amendments, send it down the road to the Governor-General for royal assent, and clear the way for ACCC boffins to figure out how to make its provisions work.

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Guy Debelle will update CEDA members about the economic and system risks of climate change in Sydney on November 6, while South Australian Minister for Energy Dan van Holst Pellekaan speaks on the state’s energy transition at Adelaide’s Ayers House on November 19

Submissions are due with the AEMC on customer switching by November 7 and on proposed COGATI reforms and renewable energy zones by November 8, while the rulemaker is due to give its draft determination on November 21 on two rule change requests from Adani Renewables on transmission loss factors.

The IEA World Energy Outlook 2019 report is due out in Paris on November 13, providing an insight into a range of policy scenarios and mapping out long-term trends.

Round one applications close on November 21 for microgrid feasibility grants from the Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund. Up to A$20 million of grants will be awarded through this first round under the A$50 program.

Community groups, electricity distribution businesses and other organisations can undertake feasibility studies on the viability of microgrid solutions in off-grid and fringe-of-grid locations.

The Essential Services Commission will deliver its final decision and determination on the 2020 Victorian Default Offer by November 25 on tariffs set to apply from January 1.

ANU Climate Change Institute’s director Professor Mark Howden will host Dr Christian Downie at an event in Canberra on November 28, looking at how clean energy policymakers and activists can exploit divisions in the oil, gas and coal industries.

Keeping market participants informed but uncertain, the ACCC will issue its latest report on the electricity market on November 30, as part of a seven-year review into prices, profits and margins due to run until 2025.