Secure supply and enable connections: East Gippsland
Final Project Assessment Report – Summary
Regulatory Investment Test – Distribution – March 2026
The East Gippsland 66kV sub-transmission loop, the longest in AusNet’s system, supplies over 73,400 customers and is geographically isolated, limiting capacity transfers and making it prone to voltage issues. Originating from the Morwell Terminal Station (MWTS), it comprises six zone substations: Traralgon (TGN), Sale (SLE), Maffra (MFA), Bairnsdale (BDL), Newmerella (NLA), and Cann River (CNR).
Demand growth from customer connections, electrification, and EV uptake is driving the loop beyond key limits, with “N” capacity exceeded by 2026/27 and voltage‑collapse limits by 2025/26. Under N‑1, the 86.3 MVA thermal limit is breached. Actual loading during the January 2026 heatwave exceeded 66 kV thermal ratings, requiring forced outages and controlled load shedding.
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. No non-network proposals were received during the RIT-D OSR consultation phase. To improve the accuracy of the Draft Project Assessment Report (DPAR), AusNet updated the modelling to include two new generation projects in the pipeline. Upgrades to the constrained sections of the two MWTS–TGN lines were also incorporated into all options in the DPAR and published in November 2025. No responses were received during the consultation period, which closed on 9 February 2026. This Final Project Assessment Report (FPAR) completes the RIT‑D process and confirms the findings of the DPAR.
The preferred solution is concluded as to reconductor the undersized conductor sections along MWTS-TGN 1 & 2 and TGN-MFA 66 kV line with 19/4.75 AAC conductors and redesign to achieve a minimum summer cyclic rating of 881A. The estimated capital cost of the preferred option is $39.23 million (in real $2025).
Any comments or enquiries should refer to ‘RIT-D FPAR LD TGN MFA’ in the subject heading be directed to: Email: [email protected].
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 via above email address. If there are no dispute notices within 30 days of the date of publication of this FPAR, AusNet will proceed to implement the preferred option subject to AER’s EDPR decision and AusNet’s internal approvals.