Western Power is procuring short-term Non-Co-optimised Essential System Services (NCESS) for reliability and system strength in the North Country. Services include base demand reliability (max 125 MW total, 90 MW base, 35 MW peak), peak demand reliability, and system strength (1,000 MVA). The expected commencement date is between October 1, 2029, and October 1, 2032. Submissions must be made via vendorpanel by October 12, 2026. Proponents must meet technical requirements and provide pricing for various contract terms.
The total fee is the sum of the fixed price and the weekly variable fee, less the capacity credit value, and subject to any annual reconciliation amount for unavailability, in accordance with the contract.
Western Power's assessment of value for money is a balanced judgement of a range of financial and nonfinancial factors, taking into account whole of life costs, environment, quality, fitness for purpose, whs, supplier capability, availability of maintenance, service and support, sustainability impacts, governments social and economic objectives, and risks.
For a facility that is currently unregistered, ncess service providers must provide progress reports every 3 months after contract execution until the facility is in commercial operation, including: a project gantt chart with milestones and critical path to commercial operation and a risk register for critical path activities.
In the event the service is unavailable, there will be a reduction in payments by western power depending on the duration of the unavailability.
Failure to provide this information will result in exclusion from the evaluation process.
