Basslink proposal
On 10 November 2023, we released an Issues Paper for the Basslink interconnector conversion application and revenue determination.
An online public forum was held on 22 November 2023 to allow stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions about Basslink's proposal. The presentation is now available on our website.
Submissions on Basslink 2025–30 Regulatory proposal, our Issues Paper, and our proposed Negotiated Transmission service criteria are open until 16 February 2024.
On 15 September 2023, APA Group submitted additional information in support of the conversion application and a revenue determination proposal. We will assess APA Group’s request to convert Basslink concurrently with undertaking the transmission determination process for Basslink.
Background
Basslink is a 500 MW undersea transmission cable which links Loy Yang in Victoria to George Town in Tasmania. In 2022, APA Group acquired Basslink Pty Ltd, the owner and operator of Basslink.
In December 2022, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) implemented a rule change which allows us to make a transmission determination for a network service provider that has applied to us seeking to convert its network services to prescribed transmission services.
On 19 May 2023, APA Group lodged an application:
- to convert Basslink’s network services from market network services to prescribed transmission services
- requesting us to commence, and determine, the process of making a transmission determination for Basslink.
Lodging the request to convert means that Basslink is an ‘Intending TNSP’ under rule 6A.9 of the National Electricity Rules (NER). An Intending TNSP may ask us to commence the process of making a transmission determination.
On 14 July 2023, the AER published its decision to commence a transmission determination process for Basslink and the Commencement and Process Paper outlining the process that will apply for this determination.
On 15 September 2023, APA Group submitted additional information in support of the conversion application and a revenue determination proposal. We will assess APA Group’s request to convert Basslink concurrently with undertaking the transmission determination process for Basslink.