On 16 August 2010 the Commission announced that it would publish an Options Paper before proceeding to a Draft Determination on the Scale Efficient Network Extensions rule change request. The Commission decided that an additional step in the consultation process was necessary in this instance due to the complex nature of the proposed Rule, the divergent views expressed across the industry and the emergence of possible alternative solutions. The purpose of the Options Paper is to test these potential solutions with stakeholders to assist the Commission in determining which will best address the identified gaps in the existing framework, consistent with the national electricity objective.

The Options Paper will be published on 30 September 2010. Submissions will be sought by 12 November 2010. A revised timetable for the Draft and Final Determinations will be published in due course.