Deakin University Centre for Smart Power & Energy Research - Submission on APA Group's system security contract application for Basslink

We invited energy consumers and other interested parties to make submissions on APA's Basslink SSNS payment contract review application. Submissions closed Thursday, 4 June 2026.

As this was only the second SSNS payment application the AER has received, we considered it important that stakeholders had an opportunity to provide feedback on the prudency and efficiency of the proposed payments and payment methodologies. 

In particular, we sought stakeholder views on:

• the process Basslink has followed to achieve the lowest possible cost outcome in the circumstances,
• the proposed contract payment structure. 

Due to confidentiality requirements, some elements of the application were redacted to protect confidential and commercial-in-confidence information related to specific terms of the draft contract, and ongoing contract negotiations.