North West Transmission Developments Stage 1

Overview

Together with Marinus Link, NWTD will contribute to Australia meeting its future energy demands through a greater mix of low emission renewable energy sources.

These projects, together being ‘Project Marinus’ will support the increased supply of low-cost, reliable renewable energy in Tasmania and to the National Electricity Market as Australia  transitions to a low carbon future. In accordance with the RIT-T update submitted to the Australian Energy Regulator in April 2024, the estimated total project cost for NWTD Stage 1 is approximately $950 million.

The staged contract commences with award to Genus of the Early Contractor Involvement phase of NWTD Stage 1 under an initial Limited Notice to Proceed for approximately $42 million.

Works comprise new dual circuit 220kV transmission lines with decommissioning and demolition of existing 220kV single circuit lines, augmentation of Burnie, Sheffield and Palmerston substations, and construction of the Heybridge Switching Station.

Disciplines Employed

• Transmission & Distribution
• Design & Constructioon
• Network ervices
• Substations

Scope of Works

NWTD Stage 1 involves the upgrade and augmentation of the existing transmission network in North-West Tasmania and will support the connection of Marinus Link Stage 1 and the likely future demand from increased renewable energy production in Tasmania.

NWTD Stage 1 consists of the design, procurement and construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning of; dual circuit 220kV Transmission Lines for Palmerston to Sheffield and Sheffield to Heybridge to Burnie (and the removal of the existing 220kV single circuit transmission lines between Palmerston to Sheffield and Sheffield to Burnie); substation augmentations at Palmerston, Sheffield and Burnie; and a new Switching Station at Heybridge to enable connection of Marinus Link into the Tasmanian 220kV transmission Network.

The initial Limited Notice to Proceed will incorporate the ECI Phase, to include engineering and design and surveys. Long lead time equipment and material procurement will  follow under separate early works agreements during the LNTP phase. Following the ECI Phase, and subject to TasNetworks’ issuing a Notice to Proceed, the Construction Phase will then commence.

The Construction Phase of NWTD Stage 1 is subject to conditions including a Final Investment Decision, Planning  and Environmental approvals, and the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) revenue determination, with the Construction Phase expected to commence Q2 2026 and scheduled for completion in 2029.

Outcome

Project is ongoing.