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New rules managing access to the grid
The Victorian Government is setting new rules to manage how renewable energy projects gain access to the state's transmission network.
The new approach, known as the Victorian Access Regime, aims to encourage development in renewable energy zones and give developers more confidence they can supply energy into the market.
The regime will increase transparency about what projects must do to gain access, including requirements to engage with and deliver economic benefits to landholders, communities and Traditional Owners.
Each renewable energy zone will have a set limit on how much space on the transmission network is available to new renewable energy projects within the zone.
Projects will need to apply for access, and access will be allocated through a competitive tender process based on merit criteria.
Once these new arrangements are in place, all new generation and storage projects connecting to Victoria's transmission network will need an access authority, or licence, before they can receive an offer to connect to the network.
The Victorian Access Regime is being designed through extensive consultation with community and industry.
For more information, read the Access and Connections Consultation Paper on Engage Victoria.
Delivering better engagement and benefits
Under these new arrangements, every project, whether it is in a renewable energy zone or not, must show how it will engage meaningfully with landholders, neighbours and communities, and deliver real benefits.
Developers will be required to demonstrate they are meeting government expectations on engagement and benefits, set out in the Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.
New generators inside renewable energy zones will be charged access fees to recover administration costs and support new Renewable Energy Zone Community Energy Funds and benefits for Traditional Owners, which are designed to ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared more fairly.
A draft of the Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines has been released for feedback.
Find out more about the Victorian Access Regime on Engage Victoria.
Access for projects outside renewable energy zones
The Victorian Access Regime also introduces a new process for renewable generation and storage developers seeking to access the grid outside renewable energy zones.
Developers seeking access outside a renewable energy zone will need to pass a test that we call a Grid Impact Assessment and demonstrate that their connection won't negatively impact generators within a zone.
They will also need to demonstrate they meet government expectations for community and Traditional Owner engagement and the delivery of meaningful benefits, as set out in the Community Engagement and Social Value Guidelines.
For more information, read the draft Grid Impact Assessment Guidelines on Engage Victoria.
Page last updated: 07/11/25
