On 30 May 2025, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) agreed to an extension to the date by which Transgrid must publish the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) for the Sydney Ring South project to 30 April 2026.
Transgrid requested an extension to allow additional time to properly identify and analyse potential options to improve the quality of the released PADR. We considered the effect of an extension on the quality and timeliness of the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission 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.
The extension provides Transgrid with additional time to explore and refine options. The extension will also allow Transgrid to incorporate new data and insights into their modelling of the options, ensuring they remain suitable for the needs of the electricity system. This data and relevant information will come from the upcoming releases of the 2025 Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report (IASR), the 2025 Electricity Statement of Opportunities and the draft 2026 ISP. Incorporating this data into the PADR ensures the consistent identification of options, minimises the risk of material changes impacting the project between the release of the PADR and publication of the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) and ensures stakeholders are well placed to provide relevant and considered feedback during the PADR consultation period.
Following this decision, Transgrid must:
- publish the PADR associated with the Sydney Ring South project by 30 April 2026
- consult on this report for a minimum of six weeks
- publish the PACR as soon as practicable consistent with NER clause 5.16A.4.