On 2 April 2025, the AER granted a waiver for Ergon Energy to provide other services to and on behalf of Powerlink. The waiver will allow Ergon Energy to continue providing these services until 30 June 2040. The contractual arrangement with Powerlink ensures that Powerlink can access specialised support services in a cost-effective and safe manner, to the long‑term benefit of customers. The AER had decided to grant this waiver for a longer duration than beyond the next regulatory period to allow for a more stable long-term relationship to form and be maintained between Ergon Energy and Powerlink. We consider this is conducive to the efficient and safe delivery of operations and services to customers. It gives greater certainty for Powerlink that they can rapidly respond to resolving power outages, including in response to natural disaster events.