South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula has the potential to experience high levels of economic growth and associated growth in electricity demand over the coming years.
Some of this growth was anticipated when ElectraNet conducted the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) analysis of the recently completed Eyre Peninsula Link project. The likelihood of further substantial load growth was also recognised in the AER’s April 2023 Determination (“the Determination”) of ElectraNet’s revenue for the 2023-2028 period by the inclusion of the Eyre Peninsula Upgrade contingent project.
Both of those processes recognised the likelihood that electricity transmission capacity on the Eyre Peninsula would need to be upgraded to supply anticipated load growth, but the timing was uncertain.
During the last 12 months, ElectraNet engaged closely with proponents of several potential load developments on the Eyre Peninsula. That engagement has led us to conclude that the anticipated expansion in network capacity will soon be required. We consider that parts of the transmission network will soon become constraints on the growth of both new and existing loads on the Eyre Peninsula.
To prevent these constraints from coming to fruition, we are commencing a RIT-T process to assess options available to meet the anticipated load growth on the Eyre Peninsula to deliver a long run solution that manages affordability, reliability, and timely delivery of transmission services for all customers in a manner which maximises net benefits.
We welcome written submissions on the information contained in this PSCR by 19 March 2024.