Final Project Assessment Report – Summary
Regulatory Investment Test – Distribution – November 2025
AusNet initiated a Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D) to assess and evaluate potential options to address constraints within the Eastern Cranbourne sub-transmission network, which are currently limiting the ability to meet growing demand.
The Options Screening Report (OSR), which represents the first step in the RIT-D process in accordance with clause 5.17 of the National Electricity Rules (NER) and section 4.2 of the RIT-D Application Guidelines was published in February 2025. The Draft Project Assessment Report (DPAR), the second stage of the RIT-D process, was published in July 2025 providing information about the draft conclusions of the RIT-D. One submission was received after the RIT-D DPAR consultation phase. Although the submission was received after the formal consultation period had concluded and not in response to DPAR, AusNet assessed the proposal. The evaluation was conducted alongside other options identified in the OSR and evaluated in the FPAR.
This report, the Final Project Assessment Report (FPAR) is the final stage of the RIT-D consultation process, which confirms the findings in the DPAR
The preferred solution is to install a new approx. 22km 66kV line of new 37/3.75 AAC line from Cranbourne Terminal Station to Officer zone substation. The estimated capital cost of the preferred option is $27.95 million (in real 2024).
In accordance with clause 5.17.5(c) of the NER, within 30 days of the date of publication of this FPAR, any party disputing the conclusion made in this FPAR should give notice of the dispute in writing setting out the grounds for the dispute (the dispute notice) to the AER with a copy of the dispute notice to AusNet. If there are no dispute notices within 30 days of the date of publication of this FPAR, AusNet expects to implement the preferred option.