On 10 August 2026, CitiPower, Powercor and United Energy (CPU) submitted an application for a waiver from clauses 4.2.1 and 4.2.3 of the Ring-fencing Guideline (electricity distribution) ('the guideline'). The waiver was sought in relation to the provision of hot water switching services and distribution asset rental services for electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) using CPU's existing offices, branding and systems.
CPU propose to deliver these services through an internal related electricity service provider, a separate internal team with dedicated staff. This internal team will continue to be located at the same office (on a sperate floor) and be promoted to customers through the network’s existing websites and customer portals. Without a waiver, CPU would be required to establish separate offices, branding and systems to provide these services, which would impose additional costs that could be ultimately borne by customers through higher negotiated-service charges or increased operating costs.
On 26 October 2026, the AER decided to grant a waiver to CPU from its obligations under clauses 4.2.1 and 4.2.3 of the guideline until 30 June 2031 subject to a strict non-discrimination condition which explicitly requires CPU to process negotiated service applications in the order received, and with no favour to a related party or to CPU in the exercise of its EVCI trial. This condition is intended to support the obligation not to discriminate, which is established in clause 4.1 of the guideline.
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