Rate of Return Instrument 2022

The Rate of Return Instrument (the Instrument) sets out the approach by which we will estimate the rate of return, and comprises the return on debt and the return on equity, as well as the value of imputation credits. We publish a new rate of return Instrument every four years, the next is to be published in 2022 and will bind all regulatory determinations in the subsequent four years.

To determine the 2022 Instrument we will undertake an extensive review including multiple rounds of stakeholder consultation. We expect the active phase of this review will commence in the middle of 2021. The 2018 Instrument remains in force until the publication of the 2022 instrument.

Our pathway to 2022 includes a series of working papers in advance of the main phase of the review and also sets out the role for stakeholder reference groups in our 2022 review. We will also release an annual update at the end of each year.

The review will be informed by significant contribution from stakeholder reference groups; the Consumer Reference Group, our Investor Reference Group and our Retailer Reference Group.

Invitation for nominations

On the 27 August 2021 we published our position paper on the Pathway to 2022 process, the paper is accompanied by two calls for nominations, one for Independent Panel members and one for Concurrent Evidence Session experts. Nominations close 17 September 2021.