AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd as trustee for AusNet Infrastructure Trust - Application for Electricity Transmission Licence

AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd as trustee for AusNet Infrastructure Trust (AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd) has applied to the Essential Services Commission for an electricity transmission licence in Victoria. 

We are responsible for deciding whether to grant or refuse a licence application. We invite your feedback between 10 October and 7 November 2024. The commission will make a decision on the licence application later in 2024.

How does AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd propose to use this licence?

AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd is seeking a licence to transmit electricity through the connection and extension assets associated with a Battery Energy Storage System in Koorangie, Victoria (Koorangie BESS), including a new Kerang Terminal Station in Bael Bael, Victoria. The terminal station, positioned between the existing Wemen Terminal Station and Kerang Terminal Station line, will connect the Koorangie BESS to the Victorian Transmission Network.

You can find more information about AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd’s transmission project relating to the Koorangie BESS (Koorangie BESS transmission project) in its application for an electricity transmission licence. This can be found in the ''Resources' tab.

Our role in energy licensing

A person who wants to engage in the activity of transmitting electricity in Victoria is required to hold a licence granted by the Essential Services Commission.

We are responsible for deciding whether to grant or refuse a licence application. We must have regard to our objectives when deciding whether to grant or refuse a licence application.* This includes promoting the long-term interests of Victorian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services.** 

Please see the document below outlining objectives under the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 and Electricity Industry Act 2000 that we must have regard to.

* In accordance with section 19 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.

** Under the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 and the Electricity Industry Act 2000. 

How we assess licence applications

We will not grant a transmission licence unless we are satisfied that:

• the applicant has the technical capacity to comply with the conditions of the licence, meaning it has the capacity to operate and manage the business, comply with licence conditions and comply with relevant regulatory obligations.
• the applicant is financially viable (where applicable)
• the applicant is a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence in Victoria.

You can refer to our Guideline: Applications for electricity and gas industry licences for more information. The guideline includes information to assist people to understand our licensing process. 

How to participate

We are seeking feedback from stakeholders on AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd’s application that may assist us in deciding to grant or refuse this application. 

You may provide your feedback by:

• providing comments in the survey found on Engage Victoria; or
• providing a submission document/s

Submissions can be sent to us via the below contact details:

• Email: Licences@esc.vic.gov.au
• Mail: Essential Services Commission, Level 8, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000

You can also call us on 03 9032 1300 to discuss your options.

If English is not your first language, please contact TIS National on 131 450 to make your submission using an interpreter. 

Submissions close at 5pm on 7 November 2024.

Next steps 

We will review all submissions once the consultation is completed, and your feedback will inform our consideration of the application. 

AusNet Infrastructure No.1 Pty Ltd will have the right to respond to all feedback received and we will notify you if this response is made public.