On 19 May 2025, Ausgrid submitted a cost pass through application seeking to recover costs it has incurred as a result of the January 2025 storm, which impacted its network area stretching from the Sydney CBD to the Upper Hunter. The storm resulted in power outages affecting more than 210,000 customers, with the heaviest impact in Northern Sydney, Port Stephens, the Sydney Basin, and the Central Coast.
The AER has determined that the January 2025 storm event does not meet the requirements for a positive change event under the National Electricity Rules (NER). While the January 2025 storm was a natural disaster event, we are not satisfied the efficient incremental costs incurred by Ausgrid due to the event exceed the materiality threshold required for a cost pass through under the NER. As a result, we have not approved a cost pass through amount in relation to this event.