AUSTRALIAN Energy Market Operator will put its bid to find a VNI West partner out to tender next month.
But AEMO says the tender process is not linked to the renewable energy transmission’s preferred corridor also scheduled for release within weeks.
A spokesperson said this week: “Preparation for the invitation to tender is underway now however a specific date has not been announced.
“Transmission Company Victoria  is planning to release the preferred easement in September, noting that the timing of these communications is not tied in any way to the AEMO tender process.  Impacted landholders will be advised of the preferred easement as a priority, ahead of any broader public communications.”
AEMO has said its project partner would become the VNI West infrastructure owner who will “build trust with the community and deliver on community benefits”.
According to the spokesperson, building trust criteria in assessing tenders will include:
Social procurement is an important part of the overall tender process. As part of their tender responses, proponents will be required to submit a detailed overview of their approach to delivering long-term social value for VNI West’s traditional owners and communities impacted by the project, how they will leverage the purchasing power of the project to drive local economic growth, skills development and employment opportunities.
Programs to make positive contributions in line with the needs and priorities of communities impacted by the project.
Authentic engagement with traditional owner groups for meaningful long-term outcomes.
“AEMO will develop robust evaluation criteria for assessing and selecting the successful tenderer with input from the Victorian Government, key community stakeholders and traditional owners. Early conversations have already begun to engage with stakeholders around this process,” the spokesperson said.
They said AEMO had received several high-quality expressions of interest to review “as the first step in the multi-stage procurement process”.
Meanwhile, a third meeting this year of the VNI West community reference group was held in Charlton this month.
AEMO’s Claire Cass and Merryn York spoke with members. “Topics of discussion included land access agreements, an update on TCV’s transmission licence application, further details on the Environment Effects Statement process, the tender to build, own and operate VNI West, TCV’s approach to consultation, insurance for landholders, as well as key project milestones,” AEMO said.
When asked for specific changes TCV and AEMO introduce for better community engagement and consultation, the spokesperson said: “TCV recognises consultation, engagement and communications regarding VNI West can improve, and a number of changes have been made to address community feedback on these areas.
“TCV’s April community drop-in sessions provided opportunities for community members and landholders to speak directly with project experts, to ask specific questions relevant to them, with longer sessions convenient for landholder schedules. Technical infrastructure and design experts, agriculture, environment and planning team members were on hand to field a range of questions.
“TCV opened its first regional field office in Kerang at the start of the year with a second office planned to open in the coming months.
“The VNI West project has also increased the amount of advertising and number of monthly columns placed in newspapers throughout the draft corridor, including a provision for broader notice for planned survey activities.
“The project is also in the process of hiring community liaison  officers to provide an increased presence within communities across the draft corridor.
“TCV’s in-person engagement is ongoing including regular group meetings with landholders, as well as a presence at community events such as the upcoming Elmore Field Days in October,”