Regulatory test consultations
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We're always working to identify limitations or constraints in our distribution network. When we propose to establish a new, large distribution asset to address a constraint, Registered Participants and Interested Parties are invited to offer alternative solutions that satisfy the Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D).
We analyse the different options and prepare a report, and our current consultation reports can be viewed below.
New consultation reports are available in our RIT-D Partner Portal, so make sure you register now (below) to receive notifications when new reports are published.
Further information about how we're managing the network can be found in our Distribution Annual Planning Report.
Our requirements under the National Electricity Rules
Under the National Electricity Rules, if we're proposing to establish a new, large distribution asset to address a constraint, then we're required to:
- consult with Registered Participants, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Interested Parties on the anticipated limitation and options to address the constraint, within the timeframe required for corrective action
- carry out a detailed economic cost effectiveness analysis of options to identify solutions that satisfy the Regulatory Test
- prepare a report for affected Registered Participants, the AEMO and Interested Parties which includes an assessment of all identified options, details of the preferred solution and the recommended action to be taken.
Register for information and alerts
The RIT-D Partner Portal is how to interact with us for Regulatory Investment Test activities. It replaces the Alert Service subscription you may have had with us.
Register for our RIT-D Partner Portal to:
- receive email notifications about new proposals open to alternative solution offers
- receive email notifications when new documents are published
- submit responses to the non-network options report
- download the draft and final determinations
- submit enquiries
- see all RIT-D activities currently being undertaken in our network.
Need to register? Fill in our online form now.
Register for the RIT-D Partner Portal
Already registered? Login for the latest information or to update your details. Check out the RIT-D Partner Portal User Guide (PDF 499.6 kb).
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Current consultations
| Area | Report type | Description | Date issued | Submission closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planella (PDF, 1.5 MB) | Draft Project Assessment Report | Ergon Energy has prepared this Draft Project Assessment Report in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(i) of the National Electricity Rules (NER). This report represents the second stage of the consultation process in relation to the application of the Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D) on potential credible options to address the identified need at Planella. | 15 Nov 2019 | 27 Dec 2019 |
| North Toowoomba (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Final Project Assessment Report | Ergon Energy Corporation Limited has determined there is no non-network solution that can become a potential credible option, or that forms a significant part of a potential credible option to address the identified need in the North Toowoomba electricity supply areas Accordingly, Ergon Energy has published a Notice of No Non-Network Options under clause 5.17.4(d) of the National Electricity Rules on 29/10/2019. This Final Project Assessment Report has been prepared by Ergon Energy in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(p) of the NER as the final step of this RIT-D process. | 31 Oct 2019 | 31 Oct 2019 |
| North Toowoomba (PDF, 251.9 KB) | Notice of No Non-Network Options | This notice has been prepared under clause 5.17.4(d) of the NER and summarises Ergon Energy's determination that no non-network option is, or forms a significant part of, any potential credible option for this RIT-D. | 29 Oct 2019 | 31 Oct 2019 |
| Wide Bay Burnett (PDF, 1.1 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | The existing 66kV M028 feeder forms part of the 66kV subtransmission network supplying the 66/11kV zone substations Degilbo, Gayndah, Mundubbera Town and Eidsvold as well as the Mount Rawdon gold mine. Feeder M028 is 92km long, 64 years old and has reached its end of life based on the condition of the 7/.104 HDBC conductor and wooden poles. Ergon Energy has identified that the preferred internal network option is to replace the entire aged M028 feeder with a new 66kV single circuit concrete pole feeder, strung with Neon conductor and optical ground wire (OPGW), originating from the 132/66kV Isis Bulk Supply Point and connecting Degilbo and Gayndah zone substations by December 2023. This is a Non-Network Options Report, where Ergon Energy is seeking information from interested parties about possible alternate solutions to address the need for investment. | 16 Oct 2019 | 16 Jan 2020 |
| Kilkivan (PDF, 1.3 MB) | Final Project Assessment Report | This Final Project Assessment Report has been prepared by Ergon Energy in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(o) of the National Electricity Rules as the next step of the RIT-D process. | 31 Oct 2019 | |
| Kilkivan (PDF, 257.6 KB) | Notice of No Non-Network Options | This notice has been prepared under clause 5.17.4(d) of the National Electricity Rules (NER) and summarises Ergon Energy Corporation Limited’s (Ergon Energy) determination that no non-network option is, or forms a significant part of, any potential credible option for the identified need. | 05 Sep 2019 | |
| Kilkivan (PDF, 1.5 MB) | Draft Project Assessment Report | Ergon Energy Corporation Limited has determined there is not a non-network option that is a potential credible option, or that forms a significant part of a potential credible option to address the identified need at the Kilkivan bulk supply substation. Accordingly, Ergon Energy has published a Notice of No Non-Network Options under clause 5.17.4(d) of the NER on 05/09/2019. This Draft Project Assessment Report has been prepared by Ergon Energy in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(i) of the National Electricity Rules as the next step of the RIT-D process. | 06 Sep 2019 | 18 Oct 2019 |
| Douglas Shire (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | We are seeking information about solutions to address the reliability concerns in the Douglas Shire supply region, which may be provided by parties other than Ergon Energy. | 20 Aug 2019 | 29 Nov 2019 |
| Pittsworth (PDF, 1.2 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | Broxburn substation 33/11kV supplies the township of Pittsworth. Maximum demand in 2018 exceeded the substation nameplate capacity and is expected to exceed the emergency cyclic capacity by 2022. The two transformers at Broxburn substation were manufactured in the 1960s that they are near end of life including associated high voltage switches. Ergon Energy has proposed to address these limitations by installing a 10MVA skid transformer and completed by December 2021. This report is an invitation to registered participants and interested parties to make submissions about possible alternate solutions to address the identified limitations. | 01 Jul 2019 | 10 Jan 2020 |
| Planella (PDF, 2.2 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | Planella 33/11kV substation (PLAN), located on the northern beaches of Mackay, is supplied via a single radial wood pole 33 kV sub-transmission line between North Mackay (NOMA) 33/11 kV substation and Planella substation. Under most circumstances, the wood poles of the 33 kV sub-transmission line are accessible; however in the event of periods of heavy rainfall and/or king tides, sections of the line become virtually inaccessible. In its current state, a fault on this line in an inaccessible location would mean that load cannot be restored within the requirements of the Safety Net security criteria, with this situation worsening as load increases. This report is an invitation to registered participants and interested parties to make submissions on credible options to address this identified need. | 24 Jun 2019 | 19 Sep 2019 |
| Cannonvale (PDF, 2.2 MB) | Draft Project Assessment Report | Ergon Energy has prepared this Draft Project Assessment Report in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(i) of the National Electricity Rules (NER). This report represents the second stage of the consultation process in relation to the application of the Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D) on potential credible options to address the identified need at Cannonvale. | 13 Dec 2019 | 24 Jan 2019 |
| Cannonvale (PDF, 1.5 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | Cannonvale 66/11kV substation (CANN) and the surrounding 66 kV sub-transmission network supplies approximately 7,198 customers including major customers such as the Proserpine Sugar Mill, Hamilton Island, South Molle Island and Daydream Island. The 66 kV sub-transmission network in the Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket area consists of radial 66 kV timber pole lines with a number of sections of underground cable. There is currently no remote switching capability. In its current state, due to the radial nature of the network and the reliance upon manual switching, a credible fault on the sub-transmission network in the Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket area would mean that load cannot be restored within the requirements of the Safety Net security criteria, with this situation worsening as load increases. This report is an invitation to registered participants and interested parties to make submissions on credible options to address this identified need. | 24 Jun 2019 | 19 Sep 2019 |
| Cannonvale-Shute Harbour (PDF, 1.4 MB) | Non-Network Options Report | Cannonvale 66/11kV substation (CANN) and the surrounding 66 kV sub-transmission network supplies approximately 7,198 customers including major customers such as the Proserpine Sugar Mill, Hamilton Island, South Molle Island and Daydream Island. The 66 kV sub-transmission network in the Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket area consists of radial 66 kV timber pole lines with a number of sections of underground cable. There is currently no remote switching capability. In its current state, due to the radial nature of the network and the reliance upon manual switching, a credible fault on the sub-transmission network in the Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket area would mean that load cannot be restored within the requirements of the Safety Net security criteria, with this situation worsening as load increases. This report is an invitation to registered participants and interested parties to make submissions on credible options to address this identified need. | 24 Jun 2019 | 19 Sep 2019 |
| Garbutt (PDF, 2.6 MB) | Draft Project Assessment Report | Ergon Energy Corporation Limited (Ergon Energy) has prepared this Draft Project Assessment Report (the Report) in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.17.4(i) of the National Electricity Rules (NER). This report represents the second stage of the consultation process in relation to the application of the Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D) on potential credible options to address the identified need in the Townsville region. | 13 Dec 2019 | 31 Jan 2019 |
| Garbutt (PDF, 3.6 MB) | Notice of No Non-Network Options | Ergon Energy has identified a need for investment to remediate the safety and reliability risks currently associated with the aged assets at Garbutt Substation in order to maintain a safe, reliable supply of electricity to customers in the Townsville region. This notice has been prepared under clause 5.17.4(d) of the NER and summarises Ergon Energy's determination that no non-network option is, or forms a significant part of, any potential credible option for this RIT-D. | 13 Dec 2019 | |
| Cape River (PDF, 2.3 MB) | Notice of No Non-Network Options | Ergon Energy has identified a need for investment to remediate the safety and reliability risks currently associated with the aged assets at Cape River Substation in order to maintain a safe, reliable supply of electricity to customers in the Cape River region. This notice has been prepared under clause 5.17.4(d) of the NER and summarises Ergon Energy's determination that no non-network option is, or forms a significant part of, any potential credible option for this RIT-D. | 13 Dec 2019 |
Closed consultations
View the Closed consultations webpage to see the list of Regulatory Test Consultations that have now concluded.
