Australian Steel Solution for the Northern Transmission Project (NTx) - Australian Steel Supply for the Northern Transmission Project (NTx) - Registration of Interest

⁠⁠⁠Overview

ElectraNet Pty Ltd is undertaking a Registration of Interest (ROI) to understand the capability, capacity and readiness of the Australian market to supply Australian manufactured and fabricated tower steel for the Northern Transmission Project (NTx).

About

The NTx Project is a critical component of South Australia's broader strategy to transition toward a clean, reliable and economically sustainable energy system. The Project is divided into two distinct sections.

Southern section

A new high-capacity transmission path of approximately 130km of 330kV transmission line (initially energised at 275kV), enabling energy demand growth for the Adelaide load centre. This section will connect Bundey with a new substation north of Adelaide.

Northern section

A new high-capacity transmission path of approximately 450km of 330kV transmission line (initially energised at 275kV), enabling connection of large industrial loads in the Upper Spencer Gulf region. This section will connect Bundey with Whyalla, via Yunta.

These sections serve complementary purposes in addressing South Australia's electricity network needs. ElectraNet is working with communities to determine possible routes for the transmission lines.

Purpose

Augmenting this part of South Australia's transmission network:

• Supports growing demand in Adelaide to be supplied by an expected increase in renewable generation north of Adelaide
• Provides additional network capacity to supply new large industrial loads, recognising the high level of interest from those loads to connect to the network
• Alleviates congestion on renewables from the Mid North region to the rest of the National Electricity Market

Objectives

The ROI aims to:

• Identify potential suppliers and multi-party arrangements
• Assess domestic capability across steelmaking, fabrication, galvanising and logistics
• Gauge industry interest in participating in later procurement stages
• Determine the extent to which Australian industry can meet the project's technical, schedule and cost requirements
• Inform subsequent procurement activities

Scope

The NTx Project will require a substantial volume of steel materials and associated processing to support the fabrication of transmission towers across both project sections. ElectraNet's requirements are set out in Appendix A - Australian Steel Solution ROI (Technical Specification).

Approximate tower steel quantities

• 3,460 km of angle (combining all sizes)
• 26,500 sqm of plate (combining all sizes)
• 40,000T of steel (excluding bolts, fall arrest and packers)

Delivery of the steel will be staged and supplied in separate lots. These lots are defined in ElectraNet NTx Steel Material Totals.xlsx, with associated delivery timeframes aligned to the section breakdowns.

Processing and delivery requirements

• Fabrication including cutting, punching, drilling, cropping, welding and marking
• Hot dip galvanising, including an option for a passivation process to include dulling of the galvanised finish
• All logistics to facilitate these processes and delivery to Adelaide and/or Whyalla (at each end of the transmission line)

The scope of supply for this ROI covers the provision of all materials, processing and logistics required to deliver an end-to-end Australian steel supply solution for the NTx Project. Respondents are expected to outline their capability to supply, process and deliver the steel components identified in ElectraNet NTx Steel Material Totals.xlsx, which details the indicative tower member types, sizes and quantities.

The steel quantities are further broken down along the transmission line into sections, as detailed in ElectraNet NTx Steel Material Totals.xlsx. This breakdown is provided for planning and logistical context, including geographic distribution and delivery staging, and does not indicate an opportunity to respond on an individual section basis.

The scope includes, but is not limited to:

• Supply of steel materials in accordance with the quantities and member specifications set out in ElectraNet NTx Steel Material Totals.xlsx
• Fabrication services, including cutting, punching, drilling, cropping, welding and marking
• Hot-dip galvanising, including optional passivation/dulling treatments where applicable
• Logistics, covering all transport and handling required to support processing activities and final delivery to Adelaide and/or Whyalla

Contractor Requirements

• Capability to provide a full end-to-end Australian steel supply solution, including steelmaking, fabrication, galvanising and logistics
• Multi-party or consortium-based approaches are welcomed, particularly where they combine complementary capabilities to form an integrated domestic supply chain for the NTx Project
• Respondents may propose individual or multi-party solutions, provided the full scope can be met through a coordinated and integrated supply chain

Instructions to Tenderers

A three-stage approach will be followed:

• Stage 1, this Registration of Interest, which will inform shortlisting for Stage 2
• Stage 2, Expression of Interest (EOI), issued to shortlisted respondents for detailed technical and commercial (pricing) information
• Stage 3, a future tender during the early contractor involvement (ECI) phase of the Project