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Meeting System Strength Requirements

Overview 

System strength is a general term encapsulating a number of specific technical issues. Maintaining adequate levels of system strength across the network is important for ensuring the power system can operate normally, especially following a fault. 

The requirements for system strength can be significantly impacted by the connection of new wind and solar generators to the network. The way these technologies currently interact with and support the power system is fundamentally different to that of traditional synchronous generators, such as large coal or hydro machines.

Our role

TasNetworks is resolute in its commitment to power system security which underpins the delivery of safe and reliable services for our customers.

System strength is an evolving issue right across the National Electricity Market (NEM) as new technologies replace traditional generation.  As a result, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) introduced changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER), which require System Strength Service Providers, such as TasNetworks, to proactively plan for and pre-emptively provide sufficient system strength services right across their networks. 

TasNetworks is applying the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) to determine the preferred solution to meet the new rule requirements.

Please refer to our Fact Sheet (PDF) for more information on what TasNetworks is doing to ensure sufficient system strength is available across the Tasmanian power system to meet Tasmania’s renewable energy targets.

The Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) Process

The RIT-T is designed to help identify the most appropriate future investment(s) needed to meet our system strength obligations, while ensuring that costs borne by network users are transparent and justifiable.

As part of this process, three main documents will be produced and consulted on: 

  1. The Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) published in August 2023 describes the need for investment, potential credible options to address the identified need, and technical information to encourage solutions from non-network proponents.
  2. The Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) published in November 2024 describes the results of the technical and economic analysis and identifies the preferred option.
  3. The Project Assessment Conclusion Report (PACR) published in June 2025 confirms the preferred option and provides a summary of submissions and responses received during the PSCR and PADR.

The anticipated sequence of events for the RIT-T is shown below.
image shows the anticipated sequence of events for the RIT-T
 

We used responses received to our Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) and the parallel expression of interest process to inform what non-network solutions are likely to be available and to determine the most technically efficient and cost effective outcome for our customers.

In November 2024, we published the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) outlining that a non-network solution will be the most credible option to meeting system strength requirements in the short term for the period up to 2029.

The need for accompanying network solutions and other non-network solutions is expected to become clearer following further connection of inverter-based resources associated with the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target and development of Marinus Link. We will continue to monitor technological developments and mature our understanding of future system strength needs, with the broad objectives of avoiding over-procurement, minimising operational complexity and keeping network costs as low as possible.

Consultation 

Project Assessment Conclusion Report

In June 2025 TasNetworks released the PACR, which concludes the RIT-T process.

Submissions in relation to the PACR can be sent directly to: regulation@tasnetworks.com.au.

A copy of the PACR can be found below.

For further information, please contact: Gemma Hutchison (Acting Leader Regulation) at gemma.hutchison@tasnetworks.com.au.

Next steps

In the event that no dispute notices are lodged in relation to this report, publication of this PACR concludes the RIT-T process in relation to system strength to support the Tasmanian power system for the period from 2 December 2025 to 30 June 2029.

Further information