System Control oversees the safe, secure and reliable operation of the Territory’s regulated power systems.
System Control has a statutory role in monitoring and controlling the operation of the power systems in the Northern Territory. It is responsible for overseeing the safe, secure and reliable operation of the Territory’s regulated power systems.
The System Control Licence issued by the Utilities Commission determines Power and Water's statutory obligations.
System Control is responsible for the real time operations, operations planning, power system technical assessments, incident reviews, and operational and technical regulatory reporting.
Interim Northern Territory Electricity Market
The Interim Northern Territory Electricity Market (I-NTEM) oversees the wholesale arrangements of electricity between generators and retailers in the Northern Territory.
As the electricity market evolves, more energy providers will join, particularly those with renewable energy solutions. System Control must work towards levelling the playing field to encourage new entrants into the market who can produce energy safely, securely, reliably and in an environmentally efficient manner.
Read more about Interim Northern Territory Electricity Market on our Wholesale Market page
Market Operator
System Control and the Market Operator work towards implementing new procedures, redefining processes and improving communication with market participants in the Interim Northern Territory Electricity Market (I-NTEM) and other regulated networks.
The goal is to ensure reliability and safety of the networks while encouraging new competition and improvements in machine efficiency.
Learn more about the Market Operator role on our Wholesale Market page
System Control Technical Code
The System Control Technical Code PDF, 907.79 KB sets out protocols and arrangements for monitoring and controlling regulated power systems.
Amendments to the code are made by the Power System Controller and approved by the Utilities Commission with stakeholder consultation.
Secure System Guidelines
Secure System Guidelines Version 5 are in effect from 1 November 2025.
Secure System Guidelines – Version 5 PDF, 750.55 KB
Secure System Guidelines – Version 4.2 PDF, 654.22 KB
Please send enquiries to the Market Operator at market.operator@powerwater.com.au.
Schedule of Audit and Inspection
This Schedule of Audit and Inspection PDF, 262.85 KB is issued under SCTC Clause 6.22.1 (e) and applies to the 2025/26 Financial Year with a forward-looking four-year plan.
System Constraints
System constraints help maintain secure operation of the power system within technical parameters.
See current long-standing system constraints on the NTESMO website affecting Darwin-Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs networks on the NTESMO website.
Ring-fencing Information Procedure
Power and Water follows both the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) guideline and the Utilities Commission Northern Territory Electricity Ring-fencing Code.
The Utilities Commission Northern Territory Information Procedure outlines how confidential information is handled and ensures fairness in data access for all market participants.
