Post by AusNet

Yesterday, the Australian Energy Regulator approved $𝟮.𝟲 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 for AusNet to maintain and upgrade the electricity distribution network across eastern and northern Victoria 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. The investment will help support safe and reliable services, increase network capacity, strengthen resilience to extreme weather and prepare for rising demand driven by electrification and population growth. While the decision is an improvement on the draft determination, it is $𝟴𝟬𝟬𝗺 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝗡𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 – which will make meeting evolving customer needs more challenging. For example, addressing the low voltage network issues and capacity requirements to address the rapid electrification we are seeing will be tough. Planning for an electricity network that must remain reliable today while also preparing or a rapidly changing future is complex. We will now review the decision in detail and consider the implications for our customers and communities. Our focus remains on delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity for the communities we serve – today and as Victoria’s energy system continues to change. 🔗 More on AusNet’s response to the AER’s decision: https://lnkd.in/g7mcDN3u