The challenge

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Our client provides policy advice to government to facilitate the delivery of secure, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy services. Within that mandate, the client is responsible for execution of an energy transition plan. The plan is intended to accelerate the achievement of a rapid, orderly and equitable transition to renewable energy in the region.

As part of the energy transition initiative, government released an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of common-use transmission infrastructure, identifying four corridors for network expansion, two in the west and two in the east of the region. Our client sought expert commercial advice for its EOI process, including document drafting and assessing proponent bids, to provide recommendations on awarding Priority Project Status for one or more of the four priority transmission corridors in the network.

Our solution

Design and evaluation of bid assessment process

Rennie developed commercial questions from a potential proponent’s perspective and supported the development of evaluation criteria to ensure the EOI process would lead to comprehensive submissions while maintaining probity requirements. Additionally, Rennie designed a bid assessment structure that enabled the client to conduct a thorough and fair evaluation, ensuring they had all the information needed to make an informed decision on the Priority Project Status outcome.

Rennie conducted an initial review of proponents’ bids and the corridors they had applied for, as well as an understanding of proponents’ capabilities, expertise and prior experience. Secondly, Rennie gathered evidence from each bid and commenced compiling evidence against the agreed criteria. The agreed selection criteria involved engagement with the client and other stakeholders, including the regional utility, treasury and other relevant government departments. Thirdly, an evaluation of the supporting evidence provided against the criteria was conducted, with reasoning via qualitative and quantitative analysis supporting final proponent selection. Lastly, Rennie compiled the bids into assessment documentation and commenced analysis on system and pathway considerations.

Our impact

Targeted criteria assessment against the outcomes desired by government

The bid assessment structure developed helped create a balanced analysis of the focus areas and risks of the decarbonisation transition in the region. Significant engagement with a wide range of government departments and collating their feedback allowed diverse opportunities and risks to be properly considered. The bid assessment criteria included considerations for Traditional Owner involvement and benefit-sharing, community engagement, the focus on establishing common use infrastructure, and project viability and timeline.

Key insights

• Clear and comprehensive EOI documentation, improving submission quality, maintaining probity requirements and reducing ambiguity for proponents
• Introduction of additional investors and potential proponents to the EOI process
• A bid assessment framework that ensures a balanced and transparent evaluation of all submissions and supports management of the end-to-end process
• Decision-making confidence for the client, with all necessary data to select the most suitable projects for Priority Project Status
• Context to understand and effectively consider proponent perspectives and proposals with regard to project-related risks and value delivered towards government objectives