Essential Connections Portal Maintenance from 10:00am this Friday 10th February - 07:00am 13th February 2023.
Essential Energy will be performing maintenance on the Essential Connections portal from 10:00am Friday 10th February 2023 to 7:00am Monday 13th February 2023. During this time, applications and enquiries will not be able to be submitted. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Requesting a DIA for a Major Connection Project
With the launch of our Major Connections functionality in the Essential Connections portal a few weeks ago we have also introduced a new pathway for submitting a Design Information Application (DIA) request relating to these Major Connections projects. A DIA request requires an ECN number and an application case number, so we have created a new application type called the ‘Major Connection Contestable Works Project application’. The application takes less than 5 minutes to complete, auto-approves and has no fee attached so you can get your application case number and ECN immediately and proceed to your DIA request.
As part of the application process, we ask for you to enter the ECN number from the Major Connections process so please make sure you get this from the proponent of the Major Connection (or whoever submitted the Detailed Enquiry). The system will not let you proceed if the ECN you select isn’t related to a major connection. Additionally, a DIA can only be requested for a Major Connection when our connections planning team determine that the project has proceeded sufficiently to inform an accurate DIA request. If you try to submit this application and are unable to proceed, please check the ECN number with the connection proponent or ask them to contact their connection co-ordinator.
We have also developed a guide to help you navigate this new connection application which can be found Essential Connections Support.
Load Requirements in Application Form
We have received a few enquiries from customers around whether the ‘Required Load’ fields in our low voltage connection application forms for existing connections require the total load or only the new load required. For these fields you need to enter the total required load following the proposed connection (i.e. existing load plus new load). Our Essential Connections Support-Registered User Guide has been updated to make this requirement clearer.
User Nicknames
You would have noticed that on some of the communications sent from the Essential Energy portal your ‘name’ has been a random 20-digit number. We have recently updated the system to use your ‘first name, last name’ instead of the random number.
What do you need to do?
- Review the guide to help navigate this new application.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Managing Basic Connections in the Essential Connections portal from mid-2023
Last year, Essential Energy launched the Essential Connections portal to streamline processes and deliver a better connection experience. Enquiries and Applications, Standard Connections (Design) and Major Connections are now managed in the portal. Our next step is to bring Basic Connections into the Essential Connections portal.
What does it mean for me?
Basic Connections processes will be managed in the Essential Connections portal from mid-2023. This includes:
- Switchboard compliance reviews.
- Non-standard approvals (NSA).
- Protection setting requests.
- Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works (CCEW).
- Notifications of Services Works (NOSW).
How can you get involved? Join our Customer Reference Group
We are setting up a small customer reference group made up of Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors to get your input as we develop and prepare Essential Connections for Basic Connections.
Planned meetings: 30 minutes, end of day, every 3 weeks from February until June 2023.
Purpose: To get your input and ideas to help the implementation of Basic Connections be successful, including:
- providing feedback on the system as it is getting built to ensure it is fit for purpose
- getting involved in testing to confirm how it works
- becoming familiar with the new functionality being rolled out and being able to raise any questions or concerns ahead of go live.
What do I need to do?
- If you would like to participate in the Basic Connections Focus Group, please register your interest via email, all you need to do is send your contact details to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au a member of the Focus Group will then be in contact with next steps.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further information
We will provide regular updates and information about progress with Essential Connections - Basic Connections.
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Using List Views to Help You Manage All Your Cases in Essential Connections.
List views are used in Essential Connections to list out your cases and projects to make it easier for you to manage all your cases. There are two list views that you see on your homepage every time you log into Essential Connections – My Submitted Cases and My Projects.
Not all the columns for these list views are displayed on the Homepage – to view all the columns press the ‘View All’ button at the bottom of the list view on your Homepage. We have included a number of different bits of information, such as NMI, address and customer surname, in these list views to help you manage your jobs.
New List View in Essential Connections to Help You Manage All Cases Submitted by your Organisation.
We have now created a new list view for all users called ‘My Business Cases’. This list view will allow you to see all the cases submitted by anyone in your organisation. It includes the same information as My Submitted Cases with an additional column called Submitted by Contact to allow for visibility of all cases submitted by any employee in your business.
We have also written an article that is available on our website that steps you through how to find this new view or any of the other views available - Essential Connections Support.
What do you need to do?
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
What is Happening?
ASP Forums were held via zoom in November and December 2022, we appreciate that your business is your number one priority and that you may not have been able to attend. As such, a recording of one of the sessions is available on Essential Engagement
What do you need to do?
Watch the Recording of the ASP November/December 2022 Forum.
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
View this communication via Essential Engagement
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
Planning Assessment Enquiry
This week we are releasing a new Planning Assessment Enquiry process which effectively replaces the old ‘feasibility DIP’ process. The Planning Assessment Enquiry process is to be used by customers where they would like a formal assessment from our planning team to identify potential network augmentation needs on a project to help inform whether the project should proceed to a formal connection application. Fees apply for this service.
For further information on this service and for information on how to apply please refer to our Planning Assessment Enquiry knowledge article on Essential Support.
Note that the Planning Assessment Enquiry does not give you a binding connection offer and you will still be required to submit a connection application if you want to proceed with the connection.
Standard Auto Approval fee change
The new Essential Connections portal has allowed for a more efficient approval process, an automated approval and offer creation. One example of this is the new Subdivision application where augmentation is known and accepted upfront.
Our existing fee structure has not accounted for this change, a new fee will be added in the next regulatory period. In the interim Essential Energy have made a decision to change the fee charged for a Standard offer where it has been auto approved, to the Connection offer service - Basic fee.
This change will be implemented in the system on 1st December, automatically. You will see the new amount in your invoice from this date.
For more information on Ancillary Network Service fees visit our website, Pricing Schedule for Ancillary Network Services.
What do you need to do?
- Review the above and make your customers aware.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
What is Happening?
Our Document Library will be unavailable from 12 noon until 3pm on Monday, 28 November 2022 while routine maintenance is carried out.
Please help minimise inconvenience by sourcing any necessary documents prior to this.
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you have sourced your documents prior to the scheduled maintenance date and time.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
What is happening?
To protect everyone’s health and safety, we’ll hold our next round of ASP engagement forums via Zoom, rather than face to face.
In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including Safety, Standards update, our BetterConnect project and Connections Changes.
We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Dates and times
Click on one of the session date/time options below to reserve your preferred session time, each session will run for two hours (all sessions will have the same content).
A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting details once you have registered.
What do you need to do?
- Select the session date above and reserve your spot to attend one of our forums.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
ASP and Electrical Contractor Briefing: 2022 Central West Floods
- Safety must be the highest priority when testing and reconnecting customers.
- All submerged meters must be bypassed by an Essential Energy representative before reenergising premises.
- A CCEW must be submitted to Essential Energy to confirm the premise is safe to connect.
- A NOSW must be submitted as soon as possible after an ASP reconnects a premise.
Flood Recovery
The recent floods in the Central West of NSW have caused catastrophic property damage for our customers. Essential Energy is committed to supporting Accredited Service Providers (ASP’s) and Electrical contractors safely reconnect properties after thorough testing has been completed.
Safety
At all times consider the safety of yourself, customers and Essential Energy team members when testing and reconnecting customers.
Ensure the following:
- Follow your own safety management systems and safe work methods.
- Ensure you have isolated all incoming supplies, even if the network is deenergised.
- Disconnect and isolate faulty circuits at the switchboard. Prevent customers reconnecting until safe.
- Do not leave exposed cabling, GPO and light terminals after gyprock has been removed.
- A GPO mounted in the switchboard can provide electricity supply if all other circuits are isolated. Ensure that all new installations are installed to current standards and protected by a RCBO.
- All meters and frequency injection relays (FIR) that have been submerged by flood water must be bypassed by Essential Energy before the premise is energised.
CCEW
All premises must be inspected, tested and repaired before reconnecting. A Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) must be submitted to Essential Energy via Essential Energy’s Secure Web Form (SWF) portal immediately after the premise is deemed safe to connect. The premise does not have to be brought up to currents standards if only safety testing and no additional equipment is installed.
For further information see the recent Essential Engagement “Reimbursement for reconnection – Flood impacted customers Central West” dated 17/11/22.
Only accredited and authorised ASP’s can reconnect disconnected premises. Electrical contractors can either contact an ASP or Essential Energy will reconnect upon receipting a CCEW without an associated NOSW. SPDs with a sealed escutcheon plate are the only exception for electrical contractors.
NOSW
A Level 2 ASP must submit a NOSW immediately after reconnecting power to a premises (this will avoid our crews having to re-visit these premises).
A Level 2 ASP authorised person can perform the below:
- Class 2A – Reconnect at the connection point only.
- Class 2B – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD) and reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard.
- Class 2C – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD), reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard and reconnect at the connection point and point of common coupling.
- Class 2D – can only reenergise at the Service Protection Device (SPD) / Meter Protection Device (MPD).
Information for Re-energisation by Level 2 ASPs
Required Actions for appropriately authorised Level 2 ASPs when re-energising a premises with flood affected meters and FIRs:
- Confirm a CCEW has been submitted and the customers electrical system has been thoroughly checked and tested and is safe to be energised.
- Check the meters and FIRs have been bypassed. Please contract Essential Energy to bypass meters before re-energising by calling the Essential Energy Supply interruptions – 13 20 80.
- Submit a Notification of Service Work (NOSW) through SWF. For consistency and clarity, in the ‘Comments’ field in Section E make the following note:
a. For sites with meters only note ‘ALL METERS BYPASSED’.
b. For sites with meters and an FIR note ‘ALL METERs AND FIR BYPASSED’.
Essential Energy Contacts
Further Information:
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy continues to work hand in hand with many ASPs across the flood impacted Central West, repairing the significantly damaged electricity network and reconnecting power for customers whose properties were inundated with flood water.
The process for customers for reconnection involves three-steps.
- Arrange for either a licensed electrician or Level 2 Authorised Service Provider (ASP) to inspect property to make sure it is safe.
- When the inspection is completed, the electrician will log a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) and provide the customer with a CCEW reference number.
- Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to have your power restored.
Where a customer engaged Level 2 ASP performs the inspection and reconnection process, they charge the customer for this service. As Essential Energy is waiving the reconnection fee where we perform this service, and to ensure that all customers are treated equally, Essential Energy has offered to reimburse customers who are reconnected by an ASP up to $350 for that reconnection.
Given the trying conditions our customers are facing, Essential Energy will now streamline this process and pay Level 2 ASPs directly for reconnection on behalf of a flood-affected customer once they have completed the reconnection.
How do I arrange payment for customer reconnection work?
Once inspection and the necessary repairs to a premises’ switchboard and internal wiring has occurred, a CCEW provided and reconnection completed by a Level 2 ASP, the following process can be followed for payment:
Submit to Essential Energy via email connection.enquiries@essentialenergy.com.au.
- An itemised invoice for the reconnection process.
- Copy of the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW).
- Copy of the Notice of Service Works (NOSW) when reconnection at Essential Energy service main.
- Completed new vendor information form.
This process needs to be followed for every individual NMI. There will be one reimbursement for each NMI.
For clarity there are circumstances where ASPs will not receive a payment for each individual unit/complex as there is only one NMI connection to Essential Energy network for these sites. Examples of where there is only one reconnection to the network for the below and one claim for reimbursement up to $350 are:
- Residential unit complexes.
- Caravan parks with private metering.
- Commercial complexes with multiple units.
- Industrial complexes with multiple units.
It is important to note that Essential Energy is funding the cost of reconnection up to $350, and any repairs to the customer’s electrical installation will not be reimbursed. Essential Energy has processes in place to ensure that claims for reconnection costs are not paid where Essential Energy has performed the reconnection.
The Customer Contact Centre will provide a Case Number by return email. Please keep this number as your reference.
The reimbursement will be provided by direct credit to your nominated bank account.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Essential Connections Weekly Update 9th November 2022
As we prepare for the next release, we continue to engage with our customers to make your transition to the new system as smooth as possible. To date, we’ve received some great feedback which we have used to create new filters, which we commonly call “list views”, to help you view the information that is relevant to you and your organisation when managing cases and enquiries.
To access more information on how to access the new list views, view the quick reference guide.
Important changes to the standard construction schedule
Following the feedback received on the upcoming changes to the standard construction schedule, the timeframe for adopting the new schedule has been delayed providing more time for you to prepare for these changes. The new schedule and will take effect from 14th January 2023. We are accepting submissions in the new format if you and your business are interested in using it before 14 January 2023.
You can find the new schedule and an example of how to complete it on Essential Connections Support.
Drop-in session recording
If you were unable to make any of our drop-in sessions, please refer to the recording of last week’s session which is available click on Recording or visit the Essential Engagement website.
Helping legal agents (solicitors and conveyancers) register and access Essential Connections
We also received a lot of questions yesterday about how to help legal agents register and access Essential Connections. If you receive any enquiries from legal agents, please refer them to the 'customers tab' on Essential Connections Support, which contains information on how they can enrol and log into the system.
Helping legal agents submit an easement application
You can refer legal agents to page 77 of our Essential Connections registered user guide for information on how they can use the portal to submit easement applications.
Need help? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the questions we have heard during the course of our weekly drop-in sessions, we have developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to support you moving forward which you can access via 'training and documents located on Essential Engagement.
A registered user guide is also available on our Essential Connections Support page to help you navigate the new design portal. Note: If the latest version (October 2022) doesn’t appear, select the CTRL+F5 keys together to refresh the guide .
What do you need to do?
- Access our support page to view the Registered user guide.
- If you are a Level 1, 2 or 3 ASP, an Electrical Contractor or an Azure user, please familiarise yourself with this quick reference guide to understand how the new filters or ‘list views’ available to you can help you navigate the new system more easily.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Accessing List Views (477 KB) (pdf)