On 24 October 2025, Energex submitted a cost pass through application seeking to recover costs it has incurred as a result of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which impacted its distribution network across South East Queensland. Energex is proposing an increase to its revenue allowance of $59.6 million (nominal, smoothed) to be recovered over the second and third years of the current regulatory period (2025-30) as follows: $29.4 million in 2026–27 and $30.2 million in 2027–28.

We invite energy consumers and other interested parties to make submissions on Energex’s cost pass through application by close of business 23 January 2026.

The AER’s role is to determine whether a positive change event as defined in the National Electricity Rules (NER) has occurred, and if so, what is the incremental revenue amount which should be passed through to network users. In order to best assist and inform the AER in making its determination, interested parties may wish to address the following questions:

• Does the Tropical Cyclone Alfred meet the definition of a cost pass through event under clause 6.6.1(a1) of the NER and Energex’s current revenue determination?
• Is the increase in costs that Energex has incurred as a result of the event material?
• Are the costs identified by Energex (including capital works and network repair and restoration services) incremental to costs already allowed for in its current revenue determination, and related solely to the occurrence of the pass through event?
• Are the operational costs incurred by Energex in relation to the event efficient and prudent in the circumstances?
• Are the decisions and actions Energex has taken in relation to the event efficient?
• Are there any other factors the AER should take into account in making its determination?

Submissions should be emailed Attention: Kami Kaur, General Manager, Network Expenditure at costpassthroughsaer [dot] gov [dot] au (costpassthroughs[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).

We prefer that all submissions be publicly available to facilitate an informed and transparent consultative process. We will treat submissions as public documents unless otherwise requested. All non-confidential submissions will be placed on the AER's website. For further information regarding the AER's use and disclosure of information provided to it, see the ACCC/AER Information Policy.

We request parties wishing to submit confidential information:

• clearly identify the information that is the subject of the confidentiality claim
• provide a non-confidential version of the submission in a form suitable for publication.