Options Screening Report – Summary
Regulatory Investment Test – Distribution – February 2025
The Eastern Cranbourne 66kV network loop, serving over 114,000 customers, originates from Cranbourne Terminal Station (CBTS) and includes seven zone substations, with a new Pakenham South ZSS planned for 2029. Rapid demand growth in the South-East Growth Corridor is expected to exceed capacity by 2026 (PoE10) and 2028 (PoE50), with demand reaching 332 MVA in 2026 and 390 MVA in 2028, surpassing the firm N-1 capacity of 255 MVA (exceeded in 2023). Despite a total N rating of 322 MVA in summer, projected demand growth (153 MW by 2038) will further strain the network.
To address these risks, AusNet has initiated the Regulatory Investment Test for Distribution (RIT-D), to identify the most credible solution. Publication of this Options Screening Report (OSR) represents the first step in the RIT-D process in accordance with clause 5.17 of the National Electricity Rules (NER) and section 4.2 of the RIT-D Application Guidelines.
AusNet welcomes written submissions on the credible options presented in this OSR and invites proposals from proponents of potential non-network and SAPS options (stand-alone or in conjunction with a network solution) that meet the identified need. Any credible non-network options will be assessed alongside the network options at the next stage of the RIT-D.
Submissions should be emailed to ritdconsultations@ausnetservices.com.au on or before 16th May 2025. In the subject field, please reference ‘RIT-D OSR LD East Cranbourne’. AusNet’s preference is that these submissions would be published on its website and AEMO’s website. If you do not want your submission to be made public, please clearly stipulate this at the time of lodgement.
Assessments of the options and responses to this OSR will be presented in the Draft Project Assessment Report (DPAR), which AusNet expect to publish by mid-June 2025.