Essential Connections
As part of our transformation program, Essential Energy is making the end-to-end connections process easier and simpler. Based on feedback we received from customers on how we can improve our connections process, we launched the BetterConnect - Connections project to help us achieve best practice systems by upgrading our technology and improving the processes for connections.
Our vision is to deliver an outstanding customer connection experience across the end-to-end process including self-service; so you have easy-to-understand and accurate information wherever, whenever, and however you need it.
As part of our transformation program, Essential Energy is making the end-to-end connections process easier and simpler. Based on feedback we received from customers on how we can improve our connections process, we launched the BetterConnect - Connections project to help us achieve best practice systems by upgrading our technology and improving the processes for connections.
Our vision is to deliver an outstanding customer connection experience across the end-to-end process including self-service; so you have easy-to-understand and accurate information wherever, whenever, and however you need it.
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Exciting news! The Essential Connections portal is now live
Good news!
We are pleased to announce the Essential Connections portal is now live! All Low Voltage (LV) connection enquiries and applications are to be created and submitted through the new portal.
All High Voltage (HV) enquiries and applications, as well as Low Voltage (LV) design, construction, testing and quality assurance processes will be transitioned to Essential Connections in future phases of the project.
Getting started
Last night a welcome email was sent to all Level 1 & 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors from the email address noreply@okta.com.au. Included in this email was a link to register to access the Essential Connections portal (link it valid for 30 days). This is a special link specifically for you, it is important you access the email you received to gain access to the portal.
Level 3 ASPs will continue to use their current access for the Design portal and a new icon for the Essential Connections portal will be accessible via okta my apps.
Accessing the new portal
Once you have registered you will be directed to the portal. We recommend that you add this link to your favourites.
You can also access the portal from the Connections – Getting Started page on the Essential Energy website under Step 3.
Where to go for support
We have updated our website to provide you all the information and support you need. Please go to the new support page on the Essential Energy website, there is a search bar where you can ask questions about the Essential Connections portal and search for key information.
Below are some great knowledge articles which answer key questions you may have in the first few days:
- Requesting access to the Essential Connections Portal
- Login and enrol for access to the Essential Connections Portal
- Resetting your password
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If you can’t find what you are looking for in the new Support Page, please contact aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Introduction of fees and upfront payment
The Essential Connections portal enables Essential Energy to charge for Ancillary Network Services (ANS) fees, as required by the Australian Energy Regulator. Up until now, we have not charged for some of these fees, as our systems did not support such charging. To find out more, read introduction of new fees and upfront payment on Essential Engagement.
The ANS fees and upfront payment will be charged from today, Monday 6 June to align with the release of the Essential Connections portal.
What do you need to do?
- Watch this handy video which shows you 'How to enrol'
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
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Essential Connections portal go live Monday 6 June
What is Happening?
In just a few days the new Essential Connections self-service portal will go live, on Monday 6 June.
From Monday, all Low Voltage (LV) connection enquiries and applications are to be created and submitted through the new portal.
All High Voltage (HV) enquiries, applications, design, construction, testing and quality assurance processes will be transitioned to Essential Connections in future phases of the project.
Getting ready for Monday 6 June 2022
Read only access to Connections web portal from Wednesday 1 June to Monday 6 June (no applications can be submitted from midday Wednesday 1 June).
From midday Wednesday 1 June, connection enquiries and applications can no longer be submitted via the Connections web portal, while we switch over to the new Essential Connections portal.
Registered users will still be able to log in, with read only access, to view applications previously submitted.
Activating your Essential Connections account for Level 1 & 2 ASPs and ECs
Level 3 ASPs will continue to use their current access.
Before you can access the Essential Connections portal and submit enquiries and applications, you will need to activate your account.
On Sunday 5 June, you will receive a welcome email from our secure access management provider OKTA with a link through to the Essential Connections portal.
Where to go for support from Monday 6 June.
We have updated our website to provide you all the information and support you need. Please go to the new support page on the Essential Energy website, there is a search bar where you can ask questions about the Essential Connections portal and search for key information.
Below are some great knowledge articles which answer key questions you may have in the first few days:
- Requesting access to the Essential Connections Portal
- Login and enrol for access to the Essential Connections Portal
- Resetting your password
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
What do you need to do?
- Look out for your activation email on Sunday evening 5 June 2022.
- Watch the quick “how to enrol video”
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Meet the Project Team
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ASP Connections Manager
Phone 02 6933 5956 Email Hamish.Wheatley@essentialenergy.com.au -
Manager Distribution Connections
Phone 02 6589 8190 Email david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au
Essential Connections
Training and Documents
- Accessing List Views (477 KB) (pdf)
- FAQs - Essential Connections (189 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - 2nd Nov ASP Drop-in session (575 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections Weekly update_26 Oct 2022. (138 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_19 October 2022. (1.03 MB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_12 October 2022. (823 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_5 Oct 2022 (810 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_28 Sept 2022 (886 KB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_21 Sept 2022. (1.15 MB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_14 Sept 2022 (1.87 MB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement_7 Sept 2022.pdf (1.42 MB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement - 31 August 2022 (1.49 MB) (pdf)
- Essential Connections - ASP Engagement - 25th August 2022 (1.28 MB) (pdf)
- BetterConnect - E2E Connections Factsheet.pdf (242 KB) (pdf)