Electrical Contractors

There have been several instances recently where Level 2 ASPs, or in some cases unauthorised trade contractors, have fitted cable covers (tiger tails) to energised overhead service lines.

As a result of further investigation, it has been identified that confusion exists as to who is authorised to undertake this task. The WorkCover Code of Practice (CoP): Work Near Overhead Power lines provides direction in relation to the implementation of control measures for unauthorised persons working near low voltage overhead service lines.

Consideration should be given to Eliminating the hazard by deenergising the supply for the duration of the work, and where there is a danger of physical damage to the overhead service its temporary removal. Where this is not practicable, separating the hazard from the worksite may be achieved through the installation of insulating matting and tiger tails at the point of attachment.

Cable covers must only be fitted to energised service lines for the purposes of adherence to the CoP by electrically qualified Essential Energy authorised employees. ASPs and contractors are not authorised to carry out these tasks as this is not classified as Contestable Work, unless working on behalf of Essential Energy under the conditions of a contract can these be installed.

A Level 2 ASP can however, de-energise and remove a service line for the duration of the proposed works, or fit cable covers on a deenergised service line for mechanical protection and visual indication so long as the covers are removed prior to the installation being reenergised.

When de-energising a service line, the service connections at the Point of Common Coupling must always be disconnected and made safe. The service line should then be visually assessed to determine its condition. If it is not of sound condition or there are other factors preventing the service removal. The disconnected service is to remain in situ and covered with insulating matting and tiger tails for visual awareness and mechanical protection. Special attention should also be paid to protecting the consumer mains at the Point of Attachment.

If the service line is deemed to be in sound condition, and providing it is firstly disconnected at the Point of Common Coupling, then disconnect the connections at the Point of Attachment, remove the service from the attachment, and carefully roll up.

The completely disconnected service can then be secured where practicable to the non-trafficable side of the distribution pole or private pole at a minimum height of 4.6m. If this is not practicable or introduces other hazards, then the service should be removed and stored in a secure location ensuring no physical damage to the service is sustained.

Before re-energising, precautions must be taken to ensure that the service and electrical installation are in a state suitable for energisation and that all required testing (e.g. insulation resistance, polarity, neutral integrity and phase rotation) has been satisfactorily completed.

We would also like to remind ASPs are not to undertake any fault and emergency work on Essential Energy assets including services.

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

As part of Essential Energy’s commitment to continuous improvement, we are seeking feedback from our customers and business partners about how easy we are to do business with.

To facilitate this, we have appointed an independent research organisation, Woolcott Research & Engagement.

Over the next few weeks, Woolcott may contact you to participate in a survey that will assess your satisfaction with our service delivery and operational performance. Your input is needed to help Essential Energy optimise customer outcomes and ensure our operations are aligned to your needs.

Essential Energy encourages you to participate and we look forward to receiving your feedback.

Essential Energy have now adopted the use of plastic tape, called ‘Essential Energy Aware’ tape – which identifies that a site has been visited by one of our workers and that the asset/s have been ‘made safe’.

This increases visibility for members of the public and to enable Essential Energy to highlight sites which have been assessed and made safe – prior to permanent repairs being carried out at the time, but instead will need to be re-visited at a later stage for the permanent repairs to take place.

Safety Brief 878 – Essential Energy Aware Tape is being shared for your information and can be accessed from Essential Energy’s Document Library or Essential Engagement.

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

From 1 July 2019, Essential Energy implemented Ancillary Network Services charges in line with the Australian Energy Regulator’s 2019-24 determination. Since then we have received numerous enquiries regarding our connection application validation and approval charges.

To clarify, listed below is a detailed explanation of the different types of connection offers and charges for the current financial year 2019-20 relating to connection application:

Basic Connection Offer - $26.18 (excl GST)

Basic + Technical Connection Offer - $117.83 (excl GST)

Standard Connection Offer - $157.11 (excl GST)

Information about connecting to Essential Energy’s network can be located on our website at www.essentialenergy.com.au/our-network/connecting-to-the-network. Please click on the document link called Connecting to the Network Information Pack and refer to Section 3.0 Connection application.

Also the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services - 1 July 2019 is located on Essential Energy’s Website at www.essentialenergy.com.au/our-network/network-pricing-and-regulatory-reporting/network-pricing, this contains the current financial year pricing and a brief explanation of these charges.

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

Essential Energy recently received the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Final Distribution Determination for Ancillary Network Services covering the 2019-24 Regulatory Control Period (RCP). This determination regulates the pricing structure for Essential Energy to provide services to external customers.

From 1 July 2019, Essential Energy will implement approved Ancillary Network Services as per the AER’s determination.

To help you understand any changes in services and charges, we have developed supporting information and application guidelines by ASP level. These documents will be located on Essential Energy’s Document Library.

Please note, however, that throughout the 2019-24 RCP, Essential Energy may introduce several new regulatory services in targeted areas, based on external feedback, statutory changes and to better reflect the way services are provided.

Additionally, implementation of the AER’s determination by Essential Energy from 1 July 2019 will incur CPI and other cost increases each year until 30 June 2024. ASPs should review service and price changes when preparing quotations for future work.

• Read more about the determination, and access the full service pricing and definition document on Essential Energy’s Document Library and Essential Engagement
• Visit the AER website to view all documents associated with the final determination on its website: https://www.aer.gov.au/networks-pipelines/determinations-access-arrangements/essential-energy-determination-2019-24. For ease of reference, Attachment 15 on the AER web site outlines the new charges for Ancillary Network Services: Final Decision - Attachment 15 - Alternative Control Services

1. Review the draft Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 1 July 2019 and the ASP Change Overview located on Essential Energy’s Document Library and Essential Engagement
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

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

Essential Energy has seen an increase in the volume of connections and connection applications that are late or missing the required documentation, particularly for smart meter new connections.

This aligns to Section 68 of the Electricity Supply Act 1995 which states that it is an offence to connect an electrical installation to Essential Energy’s network unless authorised to do so.

1. As per the NSW Service and installation rules; the following paperwork is required in a timely manner by Essential Energy to authorise your connection:



What’s Required	By Who	By When
A. Connection Application via: https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/our-network/connecting-to-the-network	Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Electrical Contractor or Customer	Before any physical work can commence for your connection
B. Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) via Secure Web Forms (SWF): https://swf.essentialenergy.com.au/swf	Electrical Contractor	Within 7 days of completing any safety and compliance test on an electrical installation
C. Notification of Service Work (NOSW) via Secure Web Forms (SWF): https://swf.essentialenergy.com.au/swf	Level 2 - Accredited Service Provider (ASP)	Within 48 hours of completing work to connect to the network



2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

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

SafeWork NSW has released a safety alert on the Dangers of working on or near energised (live) electrical equipment.

This safety alert reminds electrical workers of the hazards associated with working on or near energised (live) electrical equipment. These hazards include electric shock, arc flash explosion and fire.

This alert, and others, can also be viewed on the SafeWork NSW website - Safety Alerts.

If you need further information, please visit email www.safework.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.

ASPs may only work live low voltage on Contestable Works projects (i.e. Network Assets) as defined in the ASP Scheme Rules, the ESRs and the ASPs Safety Management System. Work within a customer’s installation is governed by Work Health and Safety (WH&S) legislation, codes and guides – in particular Division 4 of the WH&S Regulation 2017.

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

Essential Energy values and enjoys strong business relationships with its many suppliers. These relationships are founded on a shared commitment to conduct business according to the highest ethical standards and complying with all relevant laws and regulations.

Our employees are governed under the Essential Energy Code of Conduct and our relationship with ASPs, contractors and suppliers are governed under the Statement of Business Ethics.

To help provide clarity in upholding these ethical standards, Essential Energy operates a ‘no gifts’ policy across the business. This means that our employees cannot receive a gift from a third party under any circumstances.

This policy can be challenging for suppliers and employees alike, as the gifts are usually intended as a token of genuine appreciation.

Put simply, saying thanks is enough. We really appreciate your support and feedback and ask that you refrain from offering any gifts that might jeopardise either your own or our employees’ integrity.

Additional information on Essential Energy's Code of Conduct and our ‘no gifts’ policy is available on our website.

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

Essential Energy’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has completed a full review and update of CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules (ESR’s) to incorporate recent Safety Briefs, Incident Investigation recommendations, audit findings and industry developments.

There are no major policy or procedural changes in this update. All changes are summarised in the Revisions section at the end of the document.

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