Network Connections FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If the answer to your question is not here, please contact AEMO.
General
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Is the connection process the same in all Australian states?
Answer: No. The connection process in Victoria is different in some aspects to the process in other states, and there is a separate process for inter-network connections.
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Will details regarding an applicant's proposed new connection or connection modification be disclosed to other parties?
Answer: No. All information provided by an applicant is regarded as confidential. AEMO's regulatory obligations require that we not disclose an applicant's information to other parties without seeking the applicant's prior written consent.
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Can an applicant submit a connection application without submitting a connection enquiry?
Answer: No. Clause 5.3.2 of the National Electricity Rules (Rules) states that, an applicant who wishes to make an application to connect must first make a connection enquiry.
Victoria
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Can an augmentation to the Declared Shared Network (DSN) be delivered by network service providers other than SP AusNet?
Answer: Yes. In certain circumstances, AEMO may procure augmentations to the DSN from network service providers other than SP AusNet.
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Can an applicant submit technical data after submitting a connection application?
Answer: Yes; however, this could delay the processing of the connection application and may result in additional costs for the applicant.
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Can an applicant make changes to a connection application (such as change the capacity of the generating system) once AEMO has commenced processing the application?
Answer: Yes; however, depending on the extent of the changes, AEMO may require the applicant to submit a new connection application and there may be delays in processing the application.
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Is there a fee associated with submitting a connection enquiry?
Answer: No.
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Is there a fee associated with submitting a connection application?
Answer: Yes. An applicant must pay a connection application fee when submitting a connection application.
- How long does a typical connection application take?
Answer: A small project (i.e. where there is no augmentation to the DSN) may take approximately 3 to 3.5 years from connection application submission (to AEMO) to commissioning completion. This is largely due to the time required to construct the generating system. It takes approximately five months from connection application submitted to the signing of contracts.
A large project (i.e. where augmentation to the DSN is required) may take approximately four to five years from application submission to commissioning completion. Approximately nine months is required from connection application submission to the signing of contracts.
- How does AEMO determine whether an augmentation is ‘contestable’?
Answer: An electricity transmission network augmentation is ‘contestable’ if its capital cost is reasonably expected to exceed $10 million and it is ‘separable’ as defined in Clause 8.11.3 of the NER.
- Will the applicant (i.e. generator) be required to pay Transmission Use of System (TUOS) charges?
Answer: No. Under current regulatory framework only distribution companies and direct load customers pay TUOS.
- Can AEMO determine the marginal loss factor for a proposed connection point?
Answer: AEMO may provide applicants with indicative loss factors for their proposed connection point/s. This service may incur a fee.
- Are generic data and simulation models acceptable to AEMO?
Answer: Simulation models provided to AEMO as part of a connection application must comply with AEMO’s modelling guideline (i.e. the model must resemble the physical design of the plant and simulation responses must align with measured responses within the tolerance specified in the guideline).
