You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
New for basic connections: ‘Intent to Connect’.
Last week we communicated that Essential Connections will be replacing Secure Web Forms and emails for basic connections activities from mid 2023.
There will be one new step in the process: ‘Intent to Connect’. Intent to Connect will be the bridge between approved applications and service and/ or electrical works. It will be submitted by the authorised Level 2 ASP or licenced Electrical Contractor doing the works.
More than one Intent to Connect can be submitted for an application. For example:
- Intent to Connect just for Service works (Level 2 ASP works).
- Intent to Connect just for Electrical works.
- Or an Intent to Connect for both types (if you are authorised to do both types of work).
How does this help you?
Nearly all of the information on the Intent to Connect will auto populate from the application. You will be able to see:
- Site details.
- Application offer e.g., Basic & EBG (Embedded Generation).
- Retail customer details.
- Details about the approved installation including load requested, export limit applied by Essential Energy and the model of equipment.
- Any approval conditions (e.g., Switchboard Review, Non-Standard Approval) and whether these are completed.
In the Intent to Connect, you can make minor updates to equipment you intend to use and request a change from Underground to Overhead* if required. (*Note: This will require a Non-Standard Approval).
If the information is correct - that is, you will be undertaking the works as per the approved application - all you need to do is acknowledge this and enter the planned date/s for the work.
In late May, we will share a step-by-step guide and a demonstration video to show you how to ‘Submit an Intent to Connect’.
Intent to Connect will help general connections governance
The Intent to Connect will give Essential Energy visibility of the intended timeframe for works. Essential Connections will send you reminders if the NoSW and/ or CCEW is not submitted after the designated work date you enter in the Intent to Connect.
One more thing! Registrations and access to Essential Connections
Our team is checking that users are correctly registered to use Essential Connections for basic connections. Some things will need to change. For example, users will need to be individually registered. Some accounts may need to change.
You do not need to do anything yet - but please keep an eye out for an email with further information. Emails will only be sent to those who need to take some action. These will be sent over the next coming weeks.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- View this and past communications via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Essential Connections will soon replace Secure Web Forms for basic connections.
From mid-2023, you will submit forms, requests, track progress, and receive notifications to manage your basic customer connections in the Essential Connections portal.
What does it mean for you?
- You will no longer submit the reviews and forms listed above via the Secure Web Forms Portal or email.
- Key forms such as CCEW and NoSW will need to be submitted by the authorised/ licenced installer who is supervising or testing the installation works.
- You will need to be individually registered to use the portal. We will explain your next steps to ensure correct registration in a future email.
New to ‘Essential Connections’? How will it help you?
In mid-2022, Essential Energy introduced ‘Essential Connections’ to improve customer experiences across the end-to-end connections process. Applications and enquiries, standard and major/ HV connections activities are now undertaken in the Essential Connections portal.
The portal has automated many manual processes. It also streamlines connections activities by auto-populating available information and supporting electronic signatures. You can see and track current and past applications and projects and communicate with Essential Energy - all in one place, in Essential Connections.
Once we all get used to Essential Connections (and this will take some time!), your interaction and communication with us should be faster and easier.
Please note that the following will remain in Secure Web Forms:
- Requests of Service Works (ROSW)
- Requisition for supply of FIRs
What do you need to do?
- Keep reading our emails. We will share new information, including:
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Changes to the Low Voltage Connections External User Guide.
We have made a change to the structure of the external user guide for low voltage connections. The enquiry, application and design processes were all contained within one large guide.
However, based on your feedback, we have now split these guides to provide a process focus so that customers can find the process specific information they are after rather than having to go through a large guide. We have also created a number of videos for the design related processes and linked them to the new guides. All guides can be found on the support page on our website:Essential Connections Support.
The new guides are:
- Connection Enquiry.
- Connection Application.
- Design Information Application – with videos for the DIA process, how to collaborate with the design team and what to do when a case is moved to Pending Requestor.
- Design Certification - with videos for the design certification process and recertification process, how to collaborate with the design team and what to do when a case is moved to Pending Requestor.
- Non-Standard Approvals.
- Easements.
- Asset Labels.
Essential Connections Invoice Reference Number (EEI-xxxxxxxxxxxxxx).
Customers that are paying for an invoice out of Essential Connections have experienced an issue with not having the ability to copy and paste the invoice reference number from the body of the email. As a result, we have now amended the automated email that goes out with the invoice to include the EEI reference number which can be copied and pasted into the portal.
Searching for an ECN Number when you are not the owner of the application case.
Earlier this year several customers that were not the owner of the application case, when they tried to search in Essential Connections using the ECN nothing was returned in the search. We have made an update to the system that now resolves this issue, and anyone can search using the ECN number (note, the search will only return cases that your business owns under that ECN).
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
