APA Group (ASX:APA) today welcomed the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) draft decision released today following its review of the form of regulation to apply to the South West Queensland Pipeline (SWQP).
The draft decision recommends that the SWQP should not be subject to full price regulation and that the existing light regulation regime should remain in place.
The AER decision is preliminary with further consultation and submissions to be received from APA and other stakeholders. The AER will then consider those submissions before issuing a final decision setting out the future form of regulation to apply. If the final decision confirms the draft decision, the current light regulation regime will continue to apply to the SWQP.
APA will update the market further as required in line with its continuous disclosure obligations.
APA Group CEO and Managing Director Adam Watson said: “APA welcomes the AER’s draft decision to maintain the current form of regulation for the SWQP. This decision, if confirmed, creates confidence to make the necessary investment in our East Coast Gas Grid to support energy security for our customers and consumers. It will also help facilitate our nation’s ambition to deliver a reliable, affordable and lower emissions energy system.”