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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.

Expression of Interest

Western Power invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) 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.

A prospective provider may offer a solution that fully or partially meets the requirements for either service (or both). Western Power encourages innovative non-network solutions that can improve reliability and support secure operation of the network.

Activation requirements, performance measures, preferred connection locations and other technical requirements will be set out in the draft NCESS Service Specification released with this EOI.

Queries may be submitted by email to emerging.technology.portfolio@westernpower.com.au or via the Q&A function in the VendorPanel portal.

Please submit an NCESS Expression of Interest via VendorPanel no later than 5.00pm (AWST) on 3 July 2026.

Interested NCESS providers should register with VendorPanel to be informed of whether any supporting documentation such as clarifications to questions may be published.

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

EOI documents

Western Power’s NCESS Trigger Submission (April 2026)