Grid-forming Technology (GFM) Access Standards Technical Requirements Review

Timeline

Key contact

Email: [email protected]

During AEMO's review of technical requirements for connection (NER clause 5.2.6A), AEMO observed a rapid increase in the deployment of grid-forming (GFM) based plants, highlighting the need to revisit and refine the technical requirements in NER Schedule 5.2.5. To fully leverage GFM plant capabilities and support the integration of this technology, AEMO initiated a targeted technical review in October 2024.

The guiding principles in developing technical requirements for GFM plants include:

• Providing clarity on the definition of a GFM plant for the guidance of applying proper assessment criteria to different technologies.
• Removing impediments and promoting capabilities for the connection of plant that are required to satisfy the requirements and conditions of NER Schedule 5.2 to connect to the power system with GFM control, with the aim for the best system performance, accounting for both the capabilities and limitations of GFM inverters.
• Supporting, and not inadvertently hindering, the ability of GFM plants to contribute positively to system strength stability.

AEMO has concluded consultation on the GFM Access Standards Approach Paper, which contains initial recommendations for technical requirements as part of NER Schedule 5.2.5. The consultation period was open from 25 August to 26 September 2025.

22 submissions were received and have been published below in accordance with AEMO's Consultation submission guidelines.

Thank you to all stakeholder who provided submissions.

AEMO is developing and validating the technical requirements for GFM plant which will form part of its draft report. To allow time to test the proposed technical requirements with stakeholders before publication, AEMO has revised the draft report timing for publication from Q1 2026 to Q3 2026.

This program of stakeholder engagement intends to test the proposed requirements, gather feedback on assumptions and implementation considerations, and identify any material risks. Insights gathered will be considered alongside AEMO’s technical analysis to support a robust, evidence-based draft report.