Western Power January 17: WA to Procure DER Grid Support on 23 Feeders
Western Power has received approval from WA’s Coordinator of Energy to run an NCESS procurement for non-network grid support across 23 feeders in the SWIS. Capacity needs start at 18.9 MW in 2026-27 and ramp to 44.4 MW by 2028-29, creating new revenue for batteries, demand response and DER aggregators. For investors, this is a timely way to serve SWIS peak demand and defer traditional upgrades. In parallel, a fauna-protection program aims to cut wildlife outages, supporting reliability for participants and service providers across Western Australia.
NCESS approval and what it unlocks
WA’s Coordinator of Energy has cleared the utility to run an NCESS procurement for non-network grid support on 23 feeders. The process targets local constraints where distributed energy can meet reliability needs more efficiently than new poles and wires. This go-ahead was reported as the grid-support buy progresses alongside wildlife protection efforts source.
For investors and operators, this creates a contracted pathway to monetise flexible capacity. Network Support Services can deliver predictable cash flows with a strong counterparty, while complementing energy, FCAS, and retail programs. The staged ramp to 2028-29 signals multi‑year visibility, supporting portfolio financing and expansion. It also values assets precisely where they relieve feeder-level constraints, boosting local returns.
Capacity timeline and eligible services
The procurement scales from 18.9 MW in 2026-27 to 44.4 MW by 2028-29 across targeted feeders in the SWIS. The intent is to meet reliability at lowest cost during SWIS peak demand periods and critical local events. These services reduce risk of overloads and deferrals of traditional upgrades, while improving customer outcomes in growth corridors and peri-urban areas.
Eligible providers likely include behind-the-meter batteries, community batteries, commercial demand response, embedded generators, EV smart charging, and VPP aggregators. Offers should align to feeder locations, availability windows, response speeds, and telemetry needs. Portfolios that combine fast response with sustained duration will be well placed to serve both short peaks and longer contingencies under the procurement framework.
Reliability focus: fauna protection rollout
The utility is rolling out possum and bird guards, plus insulating hardware, to cut wildlife-related faults on targeted assets. This program reduces unplanned interruptions and complements non-network solutions aimed at reliability. Early coverage areas and goals have been outlined in local reporting on the fauna protection program source.
Fewer wildlife incidents mean fewer outage risks during contracted availability. That supports higher service performance, lowers penalties, and strengthens measurement and verification. It also improves customer continuity on the affected feeders, aligning community benefits with investor returns. Combined with non-network procurement, reliability upgrades increase confidence in long-term deployment of DER and aggregator portfolios.
How market players can prepare now
Map feeder-level constraints, then cluster assets where they deliver the most value to the network. Build offers that stack revenue across Network Support Services, retail arbitrage, and demand response. Seek flexible contracts, bankable terms, and clear curtailment rules. Partnerships between C&I hosts, battery integrators, and aggregators can accelerate deployment ahead of tender milestones.
Plan for strict availability, data quality, and response performance. Ensure robust telemetry, cyber security, and tested control systems. Design M&V methods that are simple, auditable, and tailored to local load shapes. Secure site permits and connection approvals early. A diversified portfolio across feeders and customer types can reduce event risk and revenue variability.
Final Thoughts
The approval to procure non-network grid support across 23 feeders sets a clear path for distributed assets to earn contracted revenue in Western Australia. Western Power will scale requirements from 18.9 MW in 2026-27 to 44.4 MW by 2028-29, creating room for batteries, demand response, and aggregators to target SWIS peak demand and local reliability. At the same time, a fauna-protection rollout should reduce wildlife-related outages, improving service performance. Action items for market players are straightforward. Prioritise siting on constrained feeders, validate telemetry and controls, build offers with clear availability windows, and prepare simple, auditable M&V. Engage hosts and partners early so assets are ready when tenders open and delivery windows begin.
FAQs
What is NCESS procurement in WA?
NCESS procurement is a process approved by the Coordinator of Energy to buy non-network services that support reliability at lower cost than new infrastructure. It focuses on targeted feeders where local capacity can solve constraints. Providers can include batteries, demand response, and aggregators that deliver measurable support during defined availability periods.
How much capacity is Western Power seeking?
Capacity needs start at 18.9 MW in 2026-27 and rise to 44.4 MW by 2028-29 across 23 feeders. The staged ramp lets providers plan deployments, aggregate portfolios, and commit to multi-year service delivery that aligns with local demand peaks and critical events in the South West Interconnected System.
Who can participate in Network Support Services?
Likely participants include behind-the-meter and community batteries, commercial and industrial demand response, embedded generators, EV smart charging, and VPP aggregators. Successful bids will match feeder locations, response speed, duration, telemetry, and availability windows, while offering reliable performance under measurement and verification requirements.
How does the fauna protection program affect investors?
Wildlife protection, including possum and bird guards, reduces fault risks and unplanned interruptions on targeted assets. Fewer outages can improve contracted performance, lower penalties, and raise confidence in long-term operations. It complements non-network services by strengthening reliability on feeders where distributed assets will be delivering grid support.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
