In response to a written request from Essential Energy, we have agreed to extend the due date for Essential Energy’s regulatory proposal to 30 April 2018. Based on the approach taken by Essential Energy toward progressing its 2014‑19 remittal and in developing its 2019‑24 upcoming proposal, we consider that our assessment of its 2019‑24 upcoming proposal can be completed within the revised timeframe, consistent with our usual consultative and robust processes. The exchanged letters are published below.

On 30 April 2018 Essential Energy submitted its regulatory proposal for the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2024.

On 15 May 2019 we published a replacement model for 17.2 - Metering Model, provided by Essential Energy. The replacement model correctly redacted sensitive information that Essential Energy had not previously redacted. 

This table compares the proportion of confidential material in each of the 2019-24 regulatory proposals submitted to the AER, in accordance with clauses 6.9.2A and 6A.11.2A of the National Electricity Rules.

On 18 May 2018 the AER  published proposed negotiated distribution service criteria for Essential Energy, which will be considered in conjunction with its regulatory proposal.

On 27 June 2018 the AER published an issues paper on the 2019-24 regulatory proposals from Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy.

On 3 July 2018 the AER hosted a public forum on the 2019-24 proposals from Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy.

Essential Energy claims confidentiality on certain information presented to the AER in its public lighting pricing model. The AER seeks to balance protecting confidential information while providing stakeholders access to information for an open and transparent regulatory decision-making process.

We accept that the public lighting model contains some market sensitive information that would disadvantage Essential Energy’s ability to negotiate commercial outcomes. We have consulted with Essential Energy on how to implement options that both disclose the information and still maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality.

Essential Energy has agreed to provide access to the confidential version of its public lighting model to selected stakeholders. The stakeholders gaining access to confidential information shall be required to sign a confidentiality undertaking.  

Stakeholders who would like to get access to the confidential information on public lighting may contact Alistair Fletcher of Essential Energy on Alistair [dot] Fletcheressentialenergy [dot] com [dot] au (Alistair[dot]Fletcher[at]essentialenergy[dot]com[dot]au) or call on 02 6588 6736.

We invited interested parties to make submissions on the regulatory proposal and negotiated service criteria by Wednesday, 8 August 2018.