The potential impact of APA Group’s proposed $17 billion takeover of AusNet Services on gas prices and new renewable energy connections will be examined by the competition watchdog as the gas pipeline owner’s tussle with rival bidder Brookfield gets entangled with another regulator.

Electricity transmitters and distributors are already understood to have been invited by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to respond to its inquiry into the proposed deal, while others across the energy supply chain are expected to participate as well.