Electrical Contractors

What is happening?

From Monday 23 November 2026, changes will apply to new and upgraded solar and battery systems up to 200kW. These include an updated connection application process, mandatory use of the NSW Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Installer Portal and the staged rollout of Emergency Backstop.

1. Separate connection application: Use the Embedded Generation Application for Connection for solar and batteries and apply separately for other electrical work. For sites in the postcode rollout, select CSIP-AUS compliant equipment from the drop-down lists, then confirm whether internet access is available. These sites can choose flexible export limits of up to 10kW per phase.
2. Pre-Installation device update: This will replace the Intent to Connect for solar and batteries under 200kW and allow you to update the device details in your application before installation. Note: You cannot go back and update details once you start the installation in the CER Installer Portal.
3. NSW CER Installer Portal becomes mandatory: Applications approved from 23 November will automatically create jobs in the NSW CER Installer Portal for installers to complete. This includes the submission of your embedded generation compliance certificate (CCEW) and updating the DER register. Training is available now and visit the support page for guidance.
4. Emergency Backstop rollout begins: Requirements will roll out by postcode from 23 November 2026 to early February 2027. The postcode checker shows when Backstop applies in your area and the supported equipment list identifies the inverters and Software Communication Clients you can use.

What do you need to do?

1. Complete the NSW CER Installer Portal training now, then register for access from 23 November. Important:
   • Choose Installer/Applicant if you both sell and install solar, Applicant if you only sell solar, or Installer if you only install solar.
   • Enter your profile details exactly as they appear on your electrical contractors licence and in the Australian Business Register.
2. Use the new Embedded Generation Application for Connection from 23 November and submit a Pre-Installation Device Update if device details change before installation.
3. Before quoting or installing, use the postcode checker to confirm when Backstop applies and make sure you use supported equipment.
4. Update your processes and share these changes with the relevant people in your organisation.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Connections will be unavailable from 4:00 pm on Thursday 19 November 2026 through to Monday 23 November 2026 while we implement the technical changes required to support the staged implementation of the NSW Consumer Energy Resource Installer Portal.

A follow-up communication will be issued once the changes have been successfully implemented and Essential Connections is available again.

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?

From 1 November 2026, new Type 8 metering arrangements will be introduced across the National Electricity Market.

These changes form part of the Flexible Trading Arrangements (FTA) reforms led by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), supporting improved measurement of certain low-load and device-based connections.

What is a Type 8 Meter?

Type 8 meters are optional, pattern-approved meters used to separately measure eligible behind-the-meter devices such as solar, EV chargers, batteries, inverters and heat pumps. They are installed behind the existing customer meter on private property, may be built into the device itself, do not need a physical display, may be located outside the meter box, and are limited to 750 MWh per year.

The introduction of Type 8 meters is in addition to the Type 9 metering changes which were effective from 31 May 2026.

For most Level 2 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Electrical Contractors, these changes result in minimal impact to existing connection and notification processes.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. For more information on Type 8 metering, review the Type 8 Meters article.
3. For more information on Type 9 metering, review the Type 9 Meters article.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

The Essential Energy Connections virtual forum was held on 21 October 2026, here is a link to supporting slide deck.

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 has published a new Division Procedure: CEOP2499 Customer Installation Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Customer Installations), providing Electrical Contractors, including solar installers, with a single source for customer installation and connection requirements on Essential Energy’s network.

It consolidates installation obligations, Consumer Energy Resources (CER), testing and commissioning requirements, support pathways and related guidance.

Industry stakeholders should use CEOP2499 Customer Installation Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Customer Installations) alongside existing Essential Energy procedures when undertaking customer installation and connection activities.

Level 2 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) should read CEOP2499 Customer Installation Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Customer Installations) in conjunction with CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works), as both procedures contain requirements relevant to customer connection and contestable works activities.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Review CEOP2499 Customer Installation Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Customer Installations) on the Document Library and ensure affected personnel understand the requirements applicable to their work activities.
3. Review any associated support materials, guidance documents and support resources referenced throughout the procedure.

Further Information

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

What is Happening?

To minimise disruption to customers during the Christmas / New Year period, we would like to advise you of the following impacts to Essential Energy services:

• No planned outages with a customer impact will be scheduled from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
• Our Contestable Works office will have reduced staff from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. During this period, minimal Essential Connections cases, enquiries, emails and documentation will be processed, and limited asset labels will be issued.
• The Grafton and Wagga Wagga warehouses will be closed from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
  • Standard orders should be submitted by 12 November 2026.
  • Allow additional time for order processing, supplier lead times and warehouse operations due to reduced staffing and increased demand in December and January.

What do you need to do?

1. Review your planned interruption schedule for the dates above and work with your nominated Local Depot Switching Resource to reschedule where required.
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?

From November 2026, solar businesses must use the NSW CER Installer Portal for new and upgraded rooftop solar and home battery installations. The Emergency Backstop Mechanism will also begin rolling out in selected NSW postcodes.

To help industry prepare, the NSW Government and NSW electricity networks will host a webinar on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm. Click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Register for the webinar.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. Visit the DCCEWW website for more information.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Energy’s Biannual Connections forum will be held on Wednesday 21 October 2026 via Microsoft Teams. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:

• Safety – what are we seeing
• Network Assurance – what are we seeing and how you can help us
• Protection Settings and Switchboard Reviews
• Transition to composite poles
• Easements and crown land
• Contestable Network Solutions update
• Environmental Impact Assessment transition to easyeia
• Changes to Earthing reports and software
• Update on CEOM7001 – Construction Plan Requirements
• Public Lighting – nomination of road categories
• NSW CER Installer Portal and Backstop rollout
• Introducing CEOP2499 – Customer Installation Guidelines
• Scheme rules review update from the Department of Climate, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Ask us anything Q&A session

We encourage you to participate in this forum. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members This includes time allocated for you to ask us anything.

To help us better respond to your questions on the day, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with the topics or issues you would like addressed.

Note: this is a live session, and a recording will not be shared.

Registration

The forum will be held on Wednesday 21 October 2026 from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon – please click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Click on register to reserve your spot.
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 has updated two Model Standing Offers (MSOs) for immediate use. The revised documents are now available on Essential Energy’s website.

• CECP2582: Model Standing Offer for Basic Connection, effective 7 September 2026
• CECP2583: Model Standing Offer for Standard Connection, effective 7 September 2026
• Unchanged: CECP2584 Model Standing Offer for Standard Connection (Subdivision), effective 1 July 2024.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Review the updated MSOs on Essential Energy’s website.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Energy is offering a one-hour support session for Level 2 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Electrical Contractors (ECs) with questions about the Essential Connections Portal. Join anytime during the session to ask questions or stay as long as you need.

The session is on Wednesday 23 September 2026 from 9:30 am – 10:30 am, 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.