The NSW Government has introduced a temporary cap on the price of coal for NSW power stations as part of the Commonwealth’s Energy Price Relief Plan to shield Australians from the worst impacts of global coal and gas price increases.
On 21 December 2022, NSW Parliament passed a bill to give the government the powers to declare a coal market price emergency and to impose price caps on coal used in the NSW power sector. Find out more about the legislation.
On 22 December 2022, the NSW Premier Perrottet declared a coal market price emergency from 22 December 2022 to 30 June 2024. Read the declaration.
While a coal market price emergency is declared, the NSW Minister for Energy has powers to give directions to respond to the emergency.
This fact sheet provides key information about how the directions apply.
Ministerial directions
A consolidated version of the Directions was made on 18 December 2023. These can be read here.
On 18 December 2023 the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notice of amendments.
On 12 December 2023 the NSW Minister for Energy revoked existing directions on coal mines and power stations and issued revised directions. Read the notices of directions.
On 18 September 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 15 August 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 27 July 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 22 June 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 5 June 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 16 February 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy revoked existing directions on coal mines and power stations and issued revised directions. Read the notices of directions.
On 30 January 2023, the NSW Minister for Energy amended the directions for coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of amendments.
On 23 December 2022, the NSW Minister for Energy gave notice of directions to coal mines and power stations. Read the notices of directions.
The consolidated directions were prepared to reflect the directions made by the Minister for Energy on 16 February 2023 and all subsequent amendments to those directions made up until and including 18 September 2023. These Consolidated Directions are prepared for readability and reference purposes only. The gazetted version of the Directions and all subsequent amendments are found above.
Regulatory oversight
The Minister has appointed the Australian Energy Regulator as the regulator under Schedule 3 of the NSW Energy and Utilities Administration Act 1987.
Ability to apply for a higher coal price cap
The directions provide for coal suppliers to apply to the NSW Minister for Energy for a higher price cap if their production costs with a fair margin are above the price cap. The application must be in a form and manner approved by the regulator. You can find out more information on the Australian Energy Regulator's website.