The Government is proceeding with the lease of the electricity networks as regulated businesses under the National Electricity Law and Rules. Short term, five-yearly variations in the network revenue determinations by the Australian Energy Regulator will be considered by bidders in the context of the proposed 99 year lease.

The boards and executive management of the electricity networks, including that of Essential Energy which will not be leased, will operate their businesses within the requirements of the determination until the next determination commences on 1 July 2019, after which the businesses will be operated in compliance with that and every subsequent five-year determination.