On 31 July 2020, Ausgrid submitted a positive cost pass through application to the AER under clause 6.6.1(a) of the NER. The application relates to unanticipated operating and capital expenditure costs incurred by Ausgrid as a consequence of storms that occurred on 26 November 2019, January 2020 and over a number of days (6-9 and 17-18) in February 2020, causing damage to its network infrastructure.

Interested stakeholders were invited to make submissions on Ausgrid's storm season cost pass through application by 21 August 2020. We received no submissions. 

On 24 March 2020, the AER received an application from Ausgrid requesting an extension of time to submit an application for the pass through of costs as a consequence of storms that occurred on 26 November 2019, January 2020 and over a number of days (6-9 and 17-18) in February 2020, causing damage to its network infrastructure.

On 5 May 2020, under clause 6.6.1(k) of the NER, the AER extended the time limit for Ausgrid to submit a pass through application until 1 August 2020. The AER considered there was sufficient difficulty in assessing or quantifying the effect of the relevant pass through events within the normal 90 business day period.The granting of this extension has no implications for the AER’s assessment of the merits of any pass through application when it is lodged.