Prudential security

Who needs to provide prudential security?

Each electricity purchaser must provide prudential security. The clearing manager determines the required level of prudential security by estimating each purchaser’s net exposure over a period of 55-60 days.

The clearing manager may take lodged hedge settlement agreements into account in the prudential requirements calculation.

Parties with an acceptable credit rating (Standard & Poors A- or equivalent) do not need to provide prudential security.

What types of prudential security are there?

The standard forms of prudential security are presented in Schedules 14.1 to 14.5 of the Code, they are:

  • Cash deposit
  • Bank guarantee
  • Third party guarantee from a party with an acceptable credit rating
  • Bond from a surety with an acceptable credit rating and/or a hedge contract lodged with and settled by the clearing manager.

The alternative forms of bank guarantee and Swift letter of credit variation have also been approved, as per the following documents.

How much prudential security is required?

The amount of prudential security the clearing manager requires from a participant depends in part on the duration of the participant’s post-default exit period.

Clause 14A.22(4) of the Code specifies the duration of the post-default exit period for different participants, but also allows the Electricity Authority to approve a shorter post-default exit period than specified.

When is additional security required?

The clearing manager forecasts each industry’s expected exposure for today and each of the next three days and will issue a prudential statement. Therefore, each day a participant will have that day’s forecast and forecasts from the previous three days for that day. The participant must ensure the lowest of those four are in its prudential account before 4pm that day, or the industry participant is in default.

Please ensure that you monitor your levels of prudential and each day’s statement to ensure you meet your required level of prudential.

All default’s are treated very seriously and will be subject to the Authority’s enforcement action.

Can you have a shorter post-default exit period?

Yes, industry participants seeking a shorter post-default exit period than specified in clause 14A.22(4) can apply for a shorter post-default exit period. To do this:

Contact

For further information, email marketoperations@ea.govt.nz.