The North West Transmission Developments project (NWTD) will see the development of new and upgraded overhead high voltage alternating current transmission lines, linking substations at Palmerston, Sheffield, Burnie, Hampshire and Staverton.
The full scope of works for the project is:
- 238 kilometres of double circuit transmission lines, with 172 kilometres being upgrades to existing transmission, and 66 kilometres of new transmission to be built
- approximately 390 new towers
- upgrades to three substations (Burnie, Sheffield and Palmerston), and
- one new switching station at Hampshire Hills
The project is being delivered over two stages:
- Stage One: NWTD transmission upgrades between Palmerston-Sheffield-Heybridge, Stowport to Burnie ($950 million), and
- Stage Two: NWTD transmission upgrades from Staverton to Hampshire Hills ($550 million).
Following the announcement that Marinus Link Stage One would be the priority delivery of the Marinus Link, the project and timing staging was revised for the NWTD to deliver on focusing Stage One (approximately 60 per cent of the NWTD project) to align with Marinus Link Stage One. Delivery of Stage Two will await a final decision on the second Marinus Link cable.
Key Dates
| Jul 2022 | ROIs Open |
| Aug 2022 | ROIs Close |
| 2025 | Expected Construction Commencement |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | TasNetworks |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Feb 2021 | The Tasmanian Government approved the project's planning criteria. |
| Jul 2022 | TasNetworks opened Registrations of Interest for the project. |
| Nov 2023 | The scope of the project has been expanded from 180 km, to 238 km of transmission lines. It will now be delivered in two stages; Stage One - Palmerston-Sheffield-Heybridge, Stowport to Burnie, and Stage Two - Staverton to Hampshire Hills. |
| Nov 2023 | TasNetworks announced an updated project cost from $800 million to $1.5 billion. Stage One of delivery is estimated to cost $950 million, and Stage two of delivery is estimated to cost $550 million. |
| May 2024 | The Tasmanian Minister for Planning amended the notified corridor of the North West Transmission Developments to align with the Marinus Link corridor, following a request by TasNetworks. This step enabled TasNetworks to submit a Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement for assessment of the NWTD. |
| Mar 2025 | Stage One of the project was included in the Federal Government's inaugural Renewable Energy Priority List. The Priority List aims to provide coordinated support through Federal, state and territory regulatory and environmental approval processes on a case-by-case basis and provide a 'faster to yes, faster to no' approach to regulatory approvals. |
| Mar 2025 | The Australian Energy Regulator approved the proposed capital expenditure of $167 million for TasNetworks to undertake early works for the delivery of Stage One of the project. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2023)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Location
Tasmania |
Resources
