On 1 May 2026, APA Group submitted an application seeking an AER determination on whether the expenditure for proposed system security network support (SSNS) payments, and methodologies for such payments, set out in a draft contract for Basslink will likely be prudent and efficient.

The application sets out the terms for load shedding and generation tripping services to be procured by Basslink from Hydro Tasmania under the existing Frequency Control System Protection Scheme (FCSPS). The application also provides information to justify the prudency and efficiency of these terms against the AER’s assessment criteria set out in our System Security Network Support Payment guideline.

Due to confidentiality requirements, some elements of the application are redacted to protect confidential and commercial-in-confidence information related to specific terms of the draft contract, and ongoing contract negotiations. 

We invite energy consumers and other interested parties to make submissions on APA's Basslink SSNS payment contract review application by Thursday, 4 June 2026.

Submissions should be emailed to: systemsecuritycontractreviewaer [dot] gov [dot] au (systemsecuritycontractreview[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)

As this is only the second SSNS payment application the AER has received, we considered it important that stakeholders have an opportunity to provide feedback on the prudency and efficiency of the proposed payments and payment methodologies. 

In particular, we seek stakeholder views on:

• the process Basslink has followed to achieve the lowest possible cost outcome in the circumstances,
• the proposed contract payment structure. 

Due to confidentiality requirements, some elements of the application are redacted to protect confidential and commercial-in-confidence information related to specific terms of the draft contract, and ongoing contract negotiations. 

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.