On 16 October 2020, the AER published a Final Decision granting AusNet Services, CitiPower/Powercor, United Energy and Jemena Electricity Network a variation of existing ring-fencing waivers. The waiver variations extend the expiry date of existing waivers, originally granted to each Victorian electricity distributor in 2017, by six months from 31 December 2020 to 30 June 2021. The extension aligns with the six month extension to the current Victorian electricity distribution regulatory control period.
The waiver variations allow the Victorian electricity distributors to continue to provide a number of services the AER considers may be reclassified as regulated direct control services in the distributors' next regulatory determinations.
The Final Decision outlines the reasons for granting the waiver.