The National Electricity Rules (Rules) set the following consultation requirements for the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T):
• Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) (excluding projects which are actionable ISP projects)
• Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) – if required
• Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR).
To enhance the value and outcomes of RIT-Ts, Powerlink has developed a stakeholder engagement matrix that details potential activities that may be undertaken, for each RIT-T. The final engagement strategy determined on a case-by-case basis.
* Irrespective of Powerlink’s assessment of the likelihood of non-network options, the RIT-T consultation process provides an open and non-discriminatory (technology neutral) framework for the consideration of non-network options on an equal footing with network options.
** The cost threshold of $46 million is a specific requirement in the Rules at which a full RIT-T process must be undertaken, irrespective of the likelihood of non-network options and market benefits. However, the engagement level will be determined primarily by the potential for non-network options and market benefits, so there will be many instances where projects are well below the $46 million but a ‘normal’ or ‘complex’ engagement approach is applied.
Project characteristics
- Non-network options unlikely*
- No material market benefits identified
- Preferred option <$46 million **
Potential engagement activities
- Notification to Powerlink Non-Network Engagement Stakeholder Register – you can subscribe to this register by emailing [email protected]
- AEMO Notice and summary
- Publication of RIT-T project details on Powerlink website
- Dedicated email contact
- Project fact sheet
- Alerts through Powerlink's Twitter and LinkedIn accounts
Project characteristics
- Minor network reconfiguration / material impact on network users
- Possibility of non-network options
- Material market benefits identified
Potential engagement activities
In addition to engagement activities identified at minor level:
- Webinars
- Stakeholder briefings
- Discussion at Powerlink’s Customer Panel
Project characteristics
- Network reconfiguration / material impact on multiple network users
- Likelihood of non-network options
- Significant market benefits identified
Potential engagement activities
In addition to engagement activities identified at normal level:
- Dedicated engagement forum to analyse project options
- Where relevant, issue additional documentation such as methodology and assumption papers