The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking submissions on Ergon Energy’s application to renew its waiver from clauses 3.1(b), 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 of the Ring-fencing guideline (electricity distribution).
On 4 March 2025, Ergon Energy applied to the AER to renew a similar, existing waiver, which the AER granted on 18 December 2017 and is due to expire on 30 June 2025.
If the AER grants Ergon Energy the new waiver, this would allow Ergon Energy to continue providing distribution and generation services in non-NEM connected isolated communities, in remote areas of Queensland. These services are provided by 33 isolated power stations, currently predominantly diesel-fired, which support 39 communities. Ergon Energy also has 35 stand-alone networks that provide distribution services for isolated communities. Ergon Energy has provided a complete list of isolated networks in its application.
We are seeking stakeholder views on Ergon Energy's waiver application, particularly the opportunities and risks of Ergon Energy continuing to provide these services. We are interested in feedback on matters including customer outcomes from Ergon Energy providing distribution and generation services, and potential impacts on competition in the isolated networks market in remote Queensland.
Have your say
We invite stakeholders to provide submissions by close of business on 12 May 2025. Submissions and requests to make a submission via alternative methods should be emailed to AERringfencing
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (AERringfencing[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)
We prefer to make written submissions publicly available to facilitate an informed and transparent consultative process. We will treat written submissions as public documents unless otherwise requested.