Does the GEN GEO 2025 exempt persons who sell gas from holding a licence?

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.

Will the GEN GEO 2025 only apply to existing gas supply embedded networks in operation on or before 25 February 2025?

Yes. The GEN GEO 2025 only applies to existing gas supply embedded networks which were in operation on or before 25 February 2025.

Exempt distributors obligations under the GEN GEO 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.

Instructions on making a report

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.

Got a question?

If you have queries about the GEN GEO 2025, email us at exemptionregister@esc.vic.gov.au

Goorambat East Solar Farm Pty Ltd (ACN 652 230 521) as trustee for Goorambat East Solar Farm Trust (ABN 60 585 057 338) has applied for a licence to generate electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).

We may grant or refuse to grant the application for any reason we consider appropriate having regard to our objectives under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) and the Essential Services Commission Act 2001 (Vic).

How we assess licence applications

We will not grant a licence unless we are satisfied that:

• the applicant has the technical capacity to comply with the conditions of the licence, meaning it has the capacity to operate and manage the business, comply with licence conditions and comply with relevant regulatory obligations.
• the applicant is financially viable (where applicable)
• the applicant is a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence in Victoria.

You can refer to our Guideline: Applications for electricity and gas industry licences for more information.

The guideline includes information to assist people to understand our licensing process.

Have your say

We are seeking feedback from stakeholders on Goorambat East Solar Farm Pty Ltd as trustee for Goorambat East Solar Farm Trust's electricity generation licence application.

You can respond by uploading a submission or provide comments via email or mail.

• Email: licences@esc.vic.gov.au
• Mail: Essential Services Commission, Level 8, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000

Submissions close 5pm, 17 March 2025.

Equis Energy (Australia) Projects (MREH A2 AssetCo) Pty Ltd (ACN 669 645 489) as trustee for Equis Energy (Australia) MREH A2 Asset Trust (ABN 34 770 707 887) has applied for a licence to generate electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic).

Consultation on the licence application closed on 3 March 2025. We did not receive any submissions.

Equis Energy (Australia) Projects (MREH A1 AssetCo) Pty Ltd (ACN 669 645 461) as trustee for Equis Energy (Australia) MREH A1 Asset Trust (ABN 92 607 537 147) has applied for a licence to generate electricity under section 18 of the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). 

Consultation on the licence application closed on 13 February 2025. We did not receive any submissions.

We granted the licence on 20 February 2025.