On 28 September 2021, Essential Energy submitted an application to the AER under clause 6.6.1 of the National Electricity Rules for a positive pass through of costs related to the 2019-20 bushfires in NSW. Essential Energy's application proposes to recover $33.8 million (positive pass through) from electricity users through an increase in distribution prices in each of the remaining two years of the current regulatory control period, that is, from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024.

Energy consumers and other interested parties were invited to make submissions on Essential Energy's 2019–20 bushfires pass through application by 2 November 2021.

On 16 December 2021 we issued a notice to Essential Energy extending the time limit for making a decision on its 2019–20 bushfires pass through application in accordance with clause 6.6.1(k1) of the National Electricity Rules. As a result, the time limit for making our determination as been extended to 12 May 2022.