Regulatory investment test

The Regulatory Investment Test (RIT) is a cost benefit analysis overseen by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). Find out more about how it works here.

The Regulatory Investment Test (RIT) is a cost benefit analysis overseen by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The purpose of a RIT is to identify the preferred network or non-network option to deliver the greatest economic benefit to market. The process also ensures investment decisions are in the long term interests of customers.

It assesses the economic and technical impact of major network investments in the national energy market above $6 million.

There are three broad stages we follow if a RIT is required for investment*.

RIT process diagram - see text alternative for details

Current regulatory investment test projects

To get involved in the following RIT-T and RIT-D projects, please contact AusNet via rittconsultations@ausnetservices.com.au or ritdconsultations@ausnetservices.com.au.

Access to historical RIT-T or RIT-D reports for closed projects can also be provided via email.

AusNet is applying the RIT to the following projects listed below:

Regulatory investment test for transmission


Title  Identified Need Location Report Consultation Closes
Conductor & Ground Wire Replacement
Maintain Supply Reliability Transmission Lines multiple circuits

Project Specification Consultation Report

Project Assessment Draft Report

22nd July 2022


31st May 2023

Connection Enablement: Wodonga–Barnawartha in North-Eastern Victoria
Address sub-transmission constraints to enable more renewable generation connections
Wodonga subtransmission loop

Project Specification Consultation Report

Project Assessment Draft Report

1st May 2024

16th August 2024

Tower replacement on the Heywood to Alcoa Portland 500kV line Maintain Safety & Assist Safety Objectives as per Mission Zero Heywood Terminal Station to Alcoa Portland Smelter
Project Specification Consultation Report 31st May 2024
Maintain reliable transmission network services at South Morang Terminal Station
Maintain reliable transmission network services at South Morang Terminal Station South Morang Terminal Station (SMTS)
Project Specification Consultation Report
30th August 2024
Maintain reliable transmission network services at Keilor Terminal Station Maintain reliable transmission network services at Keilor Terminal Station Keilor Terminal Station Project Specification Consultation Report
3rd October 2024

Regulatory investment test for distribution



Title  Identified Need Location Report Consultation Closes
Connection Enablement: Morwell South area
Address sub-transmission constraints to enable more renewable generation connections
Morwell South subtransmission loop
Options Screening Report 
15th April 2024
Connection Enablement: Morwell East Area
Address sub-transmission constraints to enable more renewable generation connections
Morwell East subtransmission loop

Options Screening Report

Draft Project Assessment Report

1st May 2024

21st August 2024

Consultations

To get involved in RIT projects, please contact AusNet via rittconsultations@ausnetservices.com.au

Further information is also available in the Energy Networks Australia RIT-T handbook.

Projects exempt from RIT

Under transitional provisions in the National Electricity Rules, the following in-flight projects are exempt from the Regulatory Investment Test.

Exempt projects
Project name Location Scope of work summary Completion
MD1000 RTU at Zone Substations FTR, FGY, BWN, BGE, ELM, RWN, LDL, CLN, EPG, BRA, BN and BWA Install and commission the RTU and local HMI. Connect RTU to all existing IEDs at these ZSS via their communication protocols e.g. DNP3, Modbus, IEC103 etc. Separate common alarms. Decommission existing RTU 2023
Power Station Closure Works HWPS Mandatory compliance works, including various civil and electrical works related with closure of power station 2023
Switchyard Redevelopment 220kV at Terminal Station HWPS Replace the remaining 220kV Bulk Oil Circuit Breakers and install remote operated isolators 2022
Power Station Rebuild YPS Replace 66/11kV transformer, circuit breakers and other primary equipment 2022
Redevelopment at Terminal Station WMTS Replace 220/66kV transformers, 220kV switch bays, 66kV switch bays and all protection and control systems.  Retire two 220/22kV transformers and the 22 kV supply from WMTS 2022
Circuit Breakers 500kV at Terminal Station HYTS Replace deteriorated 500kV switchgear 2022
Static Var Compensator Control and Relays ROTS Install thyristors, controllers and cooling system on second SVC, and protection relay panels for both SVCs. Decommission old equipment.
Replace reactors, capacitor cans, instrument transformers and faulty bus support insulators for both SVCs. Replace connections, and if found to be an issue, sections of bus-work
2022
CCTV Upgrades at Terminal Stations DDTS, ROTS, KTS, SMTS, HWTS, LYPS, JLTS Upgrade CCTV surveillance
2022
Primary and Secondary assets at Terminal Stations TBTS, RCTS, TTS, MWTS, EPSY, LY Replace 66kV CB CT and Isolators at all locations, 220kV CT CVTs at TBTS, EPSY, and 11kV and 22kV fuse isolators at RCTS and TBTS 2022
Circuit Breakers 500kV at Terminal Stations LYPS, HWTS Replace 500kV circuit breakers 2021
Circuit breakers 220/66kV at Terminal Station FBTS Replace B4 220/66kV transformer. Replace 220kV and 66kV circuit breakers 2021
REFCL Tranche 2 RWN, ELM, FGY, WOTS, MOE, BGE, LDL, BDL Install REFCL equipment at each zone substation 2021

Completed RIT submissions

Completed Regulatory Investment Tests for Transmission

 
Project name  Identified Need Location Report Consultation Closes
Voltage control in North West Victoria Corrective Action Reliability Horsham Terminal Station

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1285 KB)

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 758 KB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 915 KB)

15 Jun 2021


3 Sep 2020


N/A

Maintaining supply reliability in the Cranbourne supply area Maintain Supply Reliability Cranbourne Terminal Station

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 916KB)

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 2 MB)

25 Sep 2020


8 Aug 2022


N/A
Maintaining supply reliability in the Shepparton and Goulburn Murray area Maintain Supply Reliability Shepparton Terminal Station

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 1043KB)

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1118KB)

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 951KB)

4 Nov 2021


23 Jul 2021


18 Mar 2021

Maintain reliable transmission network services at Sydenham Terminal Station Maintain Supply Reliability Sydenham Terminal Station

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1211KB)

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 636KB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 882KB)

4 Oct 2021


15 Mar 2021


22 Nov 2021

Maintain reliable transmission network services at Moorabool Terminal Station Maintain Supply Reliability Moorabool Terminal Station

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 551KB)

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1.2MB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 1 MB)

23 June 2022

7 October 2022

N/A

Tower Strengthening: Murray Switching Station to Dederang Terminal Station
Corrective Action Reliability Murray Switching Station (MSS) to Dederang Terminal Station Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 371KB) 22 July 2022
South West Network Communications Replacement 
Maintain Supply Reliability Moorabool Terminal Station, Haunted Gully Terminal Station, Mortlake Power Station, Tarrone Terminal Station, Heywood Terminal Station, Alcoa Portland, Terang Terminal Station

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 371KB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 609 KB)

18 August 2022

21 November 2022

Maintain reliable transmission network services from Redcliffs Terminal Station
Maintain reliable transmission network services from Redcliffs Terminal Station
Redcliffs Terminal Station

Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 849 KB)

Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 984 KB)

Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 1 MB)

7 March 2023


5 July 2023

N/A

Tower Strengthening: Murray Switching Station to Dederang Terminal Station
Apply corrective actions to towers across freeways along Murray Switching Station to Dederang Terminal Station (MSS-DDTS) to minimise the hazards and risks to the safety of any person as far as reasonably practicable. This action complies with its regulatory obligation to the Electricity Safety Act 1998
Murray Switching Station to Dederang Terminal Station
Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 1 MB)
1 November 2023
Transmission Line Insulator Replacement Program
Maintain Safety & Supply Reliability
Transmission lines multiple circuits
Project Specification Consultation Report (PDF, 555 KB)
Project Assessment Draft Report (PDF, 1 MB)
13 September 2022
3 November 2023
Transmission Line Insulator Replacement Program
Address the risk of insulator failure through a condition-based replacement program
Multiple transmission line circuits
Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PDF, 935 KB)
6 November 2023

Completed Regulatory Investment Tests for Distribution

 
Project name  Identified Need Location Report Consultation Closes
REFCL Tranche 3 Reliability Corrective Action REFCL Tranche 3

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1034KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1107KB)

Notice of Determination> (PDF, 393KB)

2 June 2021

27 April 2021

N/A

Service constraints at Warragul (WGL) Zone Substation
Service Constraints Warragul

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 847KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 813KB)

Non-Network Options Report (PDF, 706KB)

N/A

05 April 2022

31 May 2021

Service constraints at Benalla (BN) Zone Substation  Service Constraints Benalla

Final Project Assessment Report

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 693 KB)


Non-Network Options Report (PDF, 902KB)

N/A

7 September 2022

1 July 2021

Service constraints at Thomastown (TT) Zone Substation Service Constraints Thomastown

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 729 KB)


Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 637KB)


Non-Network Options Report (PDF, 1045KB)

N/A

15 September 2022

21 July 2021

Service constraints at Traralgon (TGN) Zone Substation  Service Constraints Traralgon

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 577 KB)


Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 654KB)


Non-Network Options Report (PDF, 991KB)

N/A

04 October 2022


20 August 2021

Service constraints at Clyde North Zone Substation Service Constraints Clyde North

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1011KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1.4MB)

Non-Network Options Report (PDF, 1.3MB)


N/A

22 April 2022

27 August 2021

Service constraints at Maffra Zone Substation  Service Constraints Maffra

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 642KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 654KB)

Notice of Determination Report (PDF, 671KB)

N/A

5 April 2022

N/A

22kV Feeders Fuse Savers Program  Reliability Corrective Action REFCL Tranche 1 & 2

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 281KB)

Notice of Determination (PDF, 192KB)

31 May 2022

N/A

Service constraints at Bayswater Zone Substation Service Constraints Bayswater 

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 617 KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1038KB)

Notice of Determination Report (PDF, 902KB)

N/A

31 May 2022

N/A

3G Modem Replacement Program Maintain Supply Reliability AusNet Distribution Network

Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1397KB

Notice of Determination (PDF, 582KB)

5 June 2022

N/A

Expulsion Drop Out Fuse Replacement Project Reliability and safety improvement AusNet Distribution Network

Notice of Determination Report (PDF, 439KB)

Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 645KB)


Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 373 KB)

N/A

3 October 2022

N/A

Distribution Bare Conductor Replacement  Maintain Supply Reliability and Safety AusNet Distribution Network

Notice of Determination Report (PDF, 373KB)


Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1 MB)


Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 1 MB)

N/A

25 November, 2022

N/A

Overhead Manual Switch Replacement Program
Maintain Safety & Supply Reliability
Distribution feeders multiple locations
Final Project Assessment Report (PDF, 552 KB)
Draft Project Assessment Report (PDF, 300 KB)
Notice of Determination (PDF, 372 KB)
17 March 2024
2 February 2024
N/A