On 28 January 2026, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) agreed to an extension to the date by which Powerlink and Transgrid must publish the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) for the Queensland – New South Wales Interconnector (QNI-C) project, to 25 June 2028.
Powerlink and Transgrid requested an extension to allow additional time to properly identify and analyse potential options to improve the quality of the released PADR in light of recent changes in key inputs and assumptions. We considered the effect of an extension on the quality and timeliness of the Regulatory Investment Test for transmission (RIT-T) process, whether this will improve engagement and support a better outcome, and whether after the extension the project will still be delivered in time to meet the need identified in the Integrated System Plan (ISP).
The extension provides Powerlink and Transgrid with additional time to explore and refine options while incorporating recent changes in key inputs and assumptions such as the recently announced Queensland Energy Roadmap and changes in the connection point of the QNI-C project to the New England Renewable Energy Zone North Hub. Further, the draft 2026 ISP identified that further analysis is required in the final 2026 ISP to determine the actionability of the QNI-C project and therefore this extension allows Powerlink and Transgrid to consider the outcome of this further analysis.
Following this decision, Powerlink and Transgrid must:
- publish the PADR associated with the Queensland – New South Wales Interconnector project by 25 June 2028
- consult on this report for a minimum of six weeks
- publish the PACR as soon as practicable consistent with clause 5.16A.4 of the National Electricity Rules.