Tasmania is working towards its ambition to be a world-leading renewable energy provider with the North-West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project, which will deliver low-cost, reliable and clean energy for the state and the National Electricity Market.
The project will provide capacity to support new and existing renewable energy developments in the region and will include 240kms of new and upgraded transmission lines that will link Cressy, Burnie, Sheffield, Staverton, Hampshire and East Cam.
NWTD, together with a new interconnector with Victoria – known as the Marinus Link – will enable Tasmania to double its clean energy production and play a key role in providing a clean and affordable energy future for all Australians.
Both projects combined will create 1,400 jobs at peak construction and $1.4 billion in economic stimulus in Tasmania, delivering significant benefits to the state.
“These once-in-a century upgrades to the electricity transmission network are needed to support Tasmania’s Renewable Energy Target to double its clean energy production by 2040 and become a world-leading renewable energy provider,” Jo Palmer, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, said in a media statement.
TasNetworks, the Tasmanian Government Business Enterprise which owns and operates Tasmania’s power network, is working with ICN Tasmania to identify local capability for the transmission project.
Procurement is split into two discrete scopes of work:
- Staverton to Hampshire Hills (‘SV-HH’) will include high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission works and substation works to connect to Acen Australia’s (formerly UPC-AC) Renewable Energy Parks, including Jim’s Plain and Robbins Island
- The remaining HVAC transmission works, comprised of overhead transmission lines and substation works, required to support the Marinus Link interconnector flows. This is subject to a final investment decision, scheduled for December 2024.
Once a head contractor is appointed, TasNetworks will encourage and support them to engage local contractors and suppliers for project works, support services, materials and goods.
This may include:
- civil works and materials (e.g. quarry supplies, fencing)
- professional, trade and technical services (e.g. crop appraisal, surveying)
- project support services (e.g. accommodation, security)
- materials and goods (e.g. scrap metal, recycling)
- specialist engineering and fabrication solutions.
The head contractor will need to provide a Tasmanian Industry Plan detailing how they will meet the Tasmanian Government’s ‘buy local’ requirements.
For more information, or to submit an expression of interest, go to the North West Transmission Developments Gateway page.
