AusNet Services and United Energy have published the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for maintaining supply reliability in the Cranbourne area. Publication of this PACR represents the final step in the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) consultation process, which was initiated in October 2024 with the release of the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR).
Cranbourne Terminal Station (CBTS) supplies electricity to more than 198,000 customers, and electricity demand at the station has been among the fastest growing in Victoria. The geographic coverage of CBTS spans from Narre Warren in the north to Clyde in the south, and from Pakenham in the east to Carrum and Frankston in the west.
CBTS has reached its full capacity during periods of high demand. Due to the strong demand growth in the area and high utilisation of CBTS, maintaining supply reliability without augmenting the network is unsustainable and impacts our ability to meet the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (NER).
AusNet Services and United Energy published a Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) for this project in June 2025. No submissions were received in response to the PADR from interested stakeholders.
The assessment presented in this PACR finds that the preferred network option to address the supply reliability need at CBTS is the installation of a fourth 150 MVA 220/66 kV transformer at an estimated capital cost of $62.9 million (2025).
In accordance with the requirements of the NER, a summary of the PACR is available on the AEMO website. A full copy of the report can be obtained from either the AusNet Services or United Energy websites.