Regional investments proposed to upgrade AusNet’s network

30 April 2025

AusNet is planning to invest $3.5 billion to upgrade the distribution network across Victoria, as outlined in a proposal to the Australian Energy Regulator early this year.

Broadly the $3.5 billion is made up of:

  • $1.35 billion to replace ageing assets so the network can continue to operate safely and reliably.
  • $770 million to increase the capacity of the network, support customer growth and enable more customers to electrify their gas appliances and transport.
  • $148 million to improve the reliability of problem areas on the network.
  • $281 million to make our network more resilient to extreme weather events.
  • $11 million to engage new regional customer relationship managers dedicated to community engagement and commercial customers.
  • $430 million on digital systems to maintain core services, improve our responsiveness to extreme weather events, and uplift customer experience.
  • $240 million to integrate rooftop solar and large-scale wind and solar generators, putting downwards pressure on wholesale energy prices.

These investments are subject to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approving AusNet’s Electricity Distribution Price Review (EDPR) proposal.

AusNet’s proposal is currently being reviewed by the AER, who will publish their draft decision in September this year. We will then have an opportunity to submit a revised, final proposal before the AER makes its final decision and the new regulatory arrangements take effect on 1 July 2026.

AusNet is proposing the following projects and programs to improve customer reliability, grow capacity and support growth across the regions.

Vision and media grabs from AusNet General Manager Charlotte Eddy are available here.

For ease of reference, the vision is broken up as follows:

0 - 2.54: Maintenance activities, poles replacement works  
2.54 - 3.11: Substation maintenance works and upgrades
3.12 - 3.32: Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter technology
3.34 - 5.47: Substation maintenance works and upgrades
5.49 - 6.10: Maintenance works, pole replacements
6.10 - 7.20: Generators and storm response repairs  
7.22 - 8.34: AusNet helicopters and Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicles
8.36 – 9.11: AusNet emergency management response and AusNet Control Room