Electrical Contractors

What is happening?

Essential Energy will be hosting opt-in support session for Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors with questions relating to the Essential Connections Portal. The session will run for 1 hour – please drop in anytime, you can ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.

The opt-in support session will be held on Wednesday 30 July at 8 am to 9 am - please click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Some individuals are experiencing issues with the IdentityONE app on their mobile devices preventing the usual information from being displayed on the Home Page, showing an orange screen requesting an invitation code instead.

There are two causes of this:

1. App needs to refresh. The solution is to swipe and force the app to fully close, then re-open, which will refresh the app. We recommend you try this option first.
2. Credential expired. Where a credential has expired, it will require support from your Essential Energy contract management team who will be able to assist.

The IdentityONE app is also transitioning to the new Essential Energy branding. The app will reflect the new branding for new users and for new credentials. Everyone else will have the old branding until the app is updated in due course. Further communication will be delivered at this point.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has brought forward when you can request protection settings and switchboard review for a standard connection project. Starting today you can commence the switchboard review process after the Design Information Pack has been issued, and a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider or Electrical Contractor has submitted an Intent to Connect for the related connection project. This will allow you to request protection settings followed by a switchboard review in parallel with the Level 3 design work.

The following disclaimer has been added to the Essential Connection Intent to Connect process to ensure you understand the additional risk for requesting this earlier.

If design requirements for connection project works change between the date of this [submission / response] and the scheduled energisation, it is the responsibility of the Connection applicant or their representative to assess if new Protection Settings and Switchboard Compliance Review are needed. These requests must be initiated well before the planned energisation date to avoid delays or cancellation. Essential Energy will not be liable for any time or financial loss due to changes in the customer’s design requirements.

Thank you to the Accredited Service Providers and customers who provided feedback on the challenges being faced with switchboard lead times with hope this change assists your projects.

What do you need to do?

1. Continue to submit your requests through the Essential Connection Portal.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

The Essential Connection Information Session with Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors was held on 25 June 2025. To view the slide deck, click here and the recording click here.

What do you need to do?

Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy will be hosting opt-in support session for Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors with questions relating to the Essential Connections Portal. The session will run for 1 hour – please drop in anytime, you can ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.

The opt-in support session will be held on Wednesday 25 June at 8 am to 9 am - please click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Ensure you are registered to attend the support session.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Our new one-stop Technical Support Hub is providing our Accredited Service Providers, Electrical Contractors, solar installers and connections customers with self-service and supported-service options tailored to your specific requirements.

A dedicated team of technical specialists and subject matter experts are available to offer real time advice and help resolve enquiries at first point of contact, helping drive timely and consistent outcomes for you and your customers.

To easily identify the first point of contact who can best assist with your Essential Connections Portal enquiries:

• contact the team by calling 13 23 91 and selecting Option 2
• send your Essential Connections enquiries to a new email address: techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What do you need to do?

1. Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

A tragic incident occurred in Randwick on 22 May 2025 involving an Ausgrid employee who sadly lost their life after coming into contact with energised low voltage (LV) conductors.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the employee’s family, friends, colleagues, and our industry partners at Ausgrid. They remain in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the Safety Briefing, click here to view.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Essential Energy is holding a Drop-in-Session for Electrical Contractors and ASPs assisting with flood recovery in the Taree area to ensure the safe and efficient connection of customer premises affected by inundation.

When: Monday, 2 June 2025

Time: 8 – 10 am

Where: Lear and Smith Electrical Wholesalers, 7 Grey Gum Road, Taree NSW 2430

Essential Energy Key Contacts

• Essential Energy General Enquiries – 13 23 91, option 2 for Tech Support
• Senior Network Assurance Facilitator - Ivan Gould 0417 930 454
• Senior Network Assurance Facilitator - Craig Brockwell 0491 349 614

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above invitation
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

Flood Recovery

The recent floods on the Mid North Coast and other areas of NSW have caused catastrophic property damage for our customers. Essential Energy is committed to supporting Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) 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 (including solar and batteries), even if the network is deenergised.
• Disconnect and isolate faulty circuits at the switchboard. Prevent customers reconnecting until inspected and tested safe.
• Do not leave exposed cabling, General Purpose Outlet (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 Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection (RCBO).  

CCEW

All premises must be inspected, tested, and repaired before reconnecting. A Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) must be submitted via Essential Connections portal immediately after the premise is deemed safe to connect. When submitting the CCEW in the Essential Connection Portal, select "Natural Disaster" in the special circumstances field to help Essential Energy process it efficiently.

The premises do not have to be brought up to currents standards if only safety testing and no additional equipment is installed.

Only accredited and authorised Level 2 ASPs can reconnect disconnected premises. Electrical contractors can either contact a Level 2 ASP or Essential Energy will reconnect upon receiving a CCEW. Service Protection Devices (SPDs) with a sealed escutcheon plate are the only exception for electrical contractors.

NOSW

A Level 2 ASP must submit a NOSW via the Essential Energy Connections portal immediately after reconnecting supply to premises. When submitting the NOSW in the Essential Connection Portal, select "Natural Disaster" in the special circumstances field, this notifies Essential Energy that the premise has been reconnected and avoids our crews having to re-visit premises. Replacement of damaged services can only be completed by Essential Energy.

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 premises with flood affected meters and FIRs:

1. Confirm a CCEW has been submitted, and the customer’s electrical system has been thoroughly checked, tested and is safe to be energised.
2. Ensure submerged meters and load control equipment have been bypassed. Refer to the Meter Bypass Guide for instructions on bypassing meters located at Essential Energy’s website.
3. After reconnection, submit a Notification of Service Work (NOSW) through Essential Connections portal. For consistency and clarity, in the ‘Comments’ field make the following note:

• For sites with meters only note ‘ALL METERS BYPASSED’
• For sites with meters and an FIR note ‘ALL METERS AND FIR BYPASSED’

Essential Energy Contacts

• Essential Energy General Enquiries – 13 23 91, option 2 for Tech Support
• Level 2 Supervisor – Mitch Lotze 0400 089 800
• Network Assurance Manager – Kevin Miller 0407 784 701

Further Information

For more information, visit Essential Energy's web site: Floods and our network. If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

The Essential Energy Connections virtual forum was held on 15 May 2025, here is a link to supporting slide deck and for the Level 3 ASPs the Authorisation Agreement Q&As.

What do you need to do?

Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.