TasNetworks' North West Transmission Developments (NWTD)
Project Updates
Bright Futures Fund Round 2 closes 25 Oct 2026.
Sep 2026 Bright Futures Fund Independent Community Panel awarded 12 funding grants to projects that will deliver lasting benefits for communities in regional Tassie.
Aug 2026 TasNetworks issued a notice to proceed to head contractor Genus on 31 August, marking the start of construction on the 129km Palmerston–Hampshire transmission project. This followed TASCAT upholding the planning permit on 18 August. Genus is expanding its north-west operations, opening a second laydown yard at Spreyton and commencing contractor training. Project activity is increasing demand for locally supplied goods and services.
July 2026 Successful factory testing of high-voltage equipment in China, confirmed it is ready for shipment to Tas.
June 2026 Community developments will benefit from Project Marinus as part of TasNetworks’ Bright Futures Fund. provides $10 million to our local communities who are hosting the North West Transmission Developments. There’s a further $6 million for our communities with the recently announced Marinus Link Community Benefit Sharing Framework.
April 2026 Federal environmental approval granted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, enabling the project to proceed to full construction subject to final conditions.
March 2026 Tasmanian Planning Commission approved the Palmerston–Hampshire section (Stage 1), including a requirement to replace 25 lattice towers with steel monopoles in key locations such as Burnie and Stowport to reduce visual impact.
December 2025 GenusPlus mobilised to site for Stage 1 works following earlier approvals and preparatory activities. Under the Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP): Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) works completed (~$42 million) Early Works Agreements (EWA) initiated (~$80 million), including procurement of long-lead equipment and early mobilisation
October 2025 the permit application for Stage 1 of the North West Transmission Developments (NWTD) project was on public exhibition.
Background
The North West Transmission Developments is about upgrading the power lines in Tasmania’s north west so more electricity can move around, more reliably by strengthening and modernising the system, so new wind and hydro energy can plug in and flow across Tasmania, and eventually to the mainland via Marinus Link
It also means fewer outages, a more stable power supply for local communities, and better support for future energy projects, jobs, and investment in the region.
Stage 1 is about building and upgrading key power lines and substations, It includes new and upgraded lines from Palmerston (near Cressy) to Sheffield, and from Sheffield to Burnie, with a connection through to Heybridge.
The Burnie substation will be upgraded to accommodate the 220 kV transmission line from Sheffield to Heybridge and Burnie. New electrical switching and control equipment will be installed to increase the performance and reliability of the north‑west network. The upgrade will fit within the existing footprint of the substation.
This work is a key part of Tasmania’s plan to produce more renewable energy by 2040, making it easier for new wind and hydro projects to connect and supply power across the state and beyond.
The project will also create opportunities for local businesses, contractors, and workers during construction and ongoing maintenance, supporting jobs and investment in the region. Local contractors, suppliers, and service providers are encouraged to register their interest to support construction, logistics.
To learn more about the NWTD project, please visit the TasNetworks website: North-West-Transmission-Developments/
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