Regulatory Investment Test – Transmission – November 2025
The publication of this Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) represents the first step in the RIT-T process. It relates to AusNet’s plans to address 16-priority transmission line spans that currently are lower than standard clearance requirements and can create safety hazards to land users and the general public.
AusNet considers it necessary to address these 16-priority spans in accordance with our obligations to mitigate risks as far as practicable. These 16-priority spans are part of a total of 114 identified spans where there is a higher risk of flashover when operating at Maximum Conductor Temperature (MOT), following a comprehensive review of AusNet’s transmission network. As explained in this PSCR, there are no non-network options that could address the identified need.
In accordance with clause 5.16 of the National Electricity Rules (NER) and section 4.2 of the AER’s RIT-T Application Guidelines, this PSCR sets out:
- the identified need that AusNet is seeking to address, together with the assumptions used in identifying this need;
- a description of the credible network options that may address the identified need, including our reasons why there are no credible non-network options;
- the technical characteristics of each credible option;
- the classes of market benefits that AusNet considers are unlikely to be material, together with our reasoning;
- the estimated construction timetable and commissioning date; and
- the total indicative capital and maintenance costs for each option.
In accordance with clause 4.2 of the AER’s Application Guidelines, we are seeking submissions on the matters set out in this PSCR. Notification of our request for submissions will be provided to Registered Participants, AEMO, non-network providers, interested parties as required by the NER. We will also publish this report on our website. The closing date for submissions is 18 February 2026.
Any questions regarding this report should be directed to: [email protected] or please contact to Francis Lirios on (03) 9695 6000.