On 1 May 2025, AusNet Infrastructure No. 2 Pty Ltd as trustee for the AusNet Infrastructure No. 2 Trust (ACN 677 120 311) applied for a licence to transmit electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
We granted the licence on 23 July 2025.
On 14 April 2025, Equis Energy (Australia) Projects (MREH A3 AssetCo) Pty Ltd (ACN 669 645 514) as trustee for Equis Energy (Australia) MREH A3 Asset Trust (ABN 47 920 042 214) applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
Consultation on the licence application closed on 12 May 2025. We did not receive any submissions.
We granted the licence 2 June 2025.
On 7 April 2025, Active Utilities Retail Pty Ltd (ACN 606 139 931) applied for a licence to sell electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).
Consultation on the licence application closed on 5 May 2025. We received three submissions. You can read the submissions we received in the Resources tab above.
We granted the licence on 23 July 2025.
Lumea was granted an electricity transmission licence in respect of its Kiamal transmission assets on 4 December 2019.
This licence was last varied on 25 September 2024.
This licence was revoked on 25 March 2025.
Pursuant to section 29(1)(b) of the EI Act, the commission has varied the electricity transmission licence issued to Lumea on 1 July 2020 in relation to the transmission assets associated with the Berrybank Wind Farm and the Berrybank Terminal Station (Berrybank Transmission Assets), to include the Kiamal Transmission Assets.
Golden Plains WF2 Pty Ltd (ACN 650 490 109) as trustee for Golden Plains WF2 Unit Trust (ABN 19 955 437 506) ("GPWF2") applied for a licence to generate electricity for supply or sale under section 18(1) of the Electricity Industry Act 2000.
Consultation on the licence application closed on 23 April 2025. No submissions were received.
We granted the licence on 19 May 2025.
In Victoria, if a person provides services by means of a distribution pipeline, they will need a licence from the Essential Services Commission to do so or be exempt from that requirement.
The Gas Embedded Networks General Exemption Order 2025 (GEN GEO 2025) is an Order in Council made under the Gas Industry Act 2001. It commenced on 25 February 2025 and exempts persons who provide services, by means of a distribution pipeline within an embedded network from the requirement to hold a licence, subject to the terms and conditions of the GEN GEO 2025.
The GEN GEO 2025 does not exempt persons from the requirement to obtain a licence to sell gas to retail customers.
It imposes a number of obligations on exempt persons. This includes mandatory annual reporting requirements to the commission and compliance with other specified regulatory instruments and becoming a member of the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV).
Visit the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action's website for more information on electricity and gas embedded networks, including advice on consumer protections, relevant codes and other matters.
No. It only exempts persons who provide services by means of a distribution pipeline to customers within an embedded network.
A person who sells gas to retail customers (whether within an embedded gas network or otherwise) must hold a licence issued by the commission.
Yes. The GEN GEO 2025 only applies to existing gas supply embedded networks which were in operation on or before 25 February 2025.
The GEN GEO 2025 includes requirements that certain information be provided to customers within the gas embedded networks, and to the commission.
Clauses 10 and 11 of the GEN GEO 2025 require exempt distributors to provide a report, in the form and manner required by the commission, on or before 30 June each year in respect of its distribution activities for the preceding calendar year (i.e. January to December).
The first report is due on or before 30 June 2026 for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
The first report can therefore be submitted on or after 1 January 2026.
Clauses 10(2) and 11(2) require that the reports provided to the commission be in the form and manner we require.
The commission will provide a reporting template to facilitate submissions that must be provided by email to the address on the template. You will be able to list more than one site in any report provided.
If you have queries about the GEN GEO 2025, email us at exemptionregister@esc.vic.gov.au
