BEIJING, Aug 19 (Reuters) - State Grid Corp of China STGRD.UL expressed "deep regret" on Friday after Australia formally blocked the A$10 billion ($7.6 bln) sale of Ausgrid to Chinese bidders on security grounds.
State Grid said it had followed regulations set by Australia in its bid and met all the bidding requirements.
Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison, who must approve major foreign investments, formally blocked the sale earlier on Friday to preferred bidders State Grid Corp of China STGRD.UL and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings 1038.HK .
The state of New South Wales will now re-start the tender process for the grid's majority stake.