Reliability and System Strength Services for the North Country - WS5659204351
The Coordinator of Energy has determined, under clause 3.11A.4 of the Electricity System Market (ESM) Rules, to trigger a Non‑Co‑optimised Essential System Services (NCESS) procurement process by Western Power for Reliability and System Strength Services for the North Country.
The proposed services aim to address reliability and system strength concerns during planned or unplanned outage events affecting one or more 132 kV transmission lines supplying the North Country.
Call for NCESS submissions
Western Power invites NCESS submissions from prospective NCESS providers to deliver Reliability Services and/or System Strength Services located in the North Country. The North Country is defined as the area supplied by the Rangeway, Geraldton and Chapman substations.
Western Power is seeking submissions under two contract term options, namely Short-Term (1-4 year terms) and Long-Term (10-25 year terms). Proponents may choose to participate in either or both contract term options and may offer a solution that fully or partially meets the requirements for either service (or both).
Activation requirements, performance measures, preferred connection locations and other technical requirements are set out in the final NCESS Service Specification.
Queries may be submitted by email to emerging.technology.portfolio@westernpower.com.au or via the Q&A function in the VendorPanel portal.
Separate VendorPanel tenders have been established to receive submissions for the short-term and long-term contract term options. Proponents wishing to participate in both contract term options must submit separate responses for each VendorPanel tender.
Please submit NCESS submissions via VendorPanel no later than:
- Tender closing for short-term service by 5.00pm (AWST) on 12 October 2026.
- Tender closing for long-term service by 5.00pm (AWST) on 1 February 2027
Interested NCESS providers should register with VendorPanel to be informed of whether any supporting documentation such as clarifications to questions may be published.
NCESS North Country Market Briefing - 22 June 2026
Event details
| Key activities | Date |
|---|---|
| Coordinator of Energy to trigger NCESS | 24 April 2026 |
| Call for EOI’s | 22 May 2026 |
| Cut-off date for questions for EOI | 26 June 2026 |
| Closing date and time for lodgement of EOIs | 3 July 2026 |
| Call for NCESS submissions | 7 September 2026 |
| Closing date for short-term service NCESS submission | 12 October 2026 by 5.00pm (AWST) |
| Cut-off date for questions from service providers | 11 January 2027 |
| Cut-off date for Western Power to answer service providers’ questions | 18 January 2027 |
| Closing date for long-term service NCESS submission | 1 February 2027 by 5.00pm (AWST) |
Call for NCESS submission documents
- NCESS Final Service Specification – North Country
- Short-Term NCESS Submission Form – North Country (1-4 year terms)
- Long-Term NCESS Submission Form – North Country (10-25 year terms)
- NCESS NC Contract template v3 (to be provided)
- Contract Departures template (to be provided)
EOI documents
Western Power’s NCESS Trigger Submission (April 2026)
- NCESS Trigger Submission
- To find a copy of the Coordinator of Energy’s determination please visit Energy Policy WA’s website