Electrical Contractors

The go live date for basic connections coming into Essential Connections Portal is 19 June, pending no technical challenges. Included in this Go Live is Notice of Arrangements.

What are you doing?

I need a Notice of Arrangement.

• If a standard construction project is not being managed via Essential Connections Portal, please submit the Notice of Arrangement (NoA) request via the contestable works mailbox: contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au.
• For all other NoA requests please submit via the Essential Connections Portal.
• Please keep an eye on information updates – we are planning to bring all NoA into Essential Connections Portal soon.
  

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View all communications via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

Here’s our latest action and information update about basic connections coming into Essential Connections Portal.

The go live date for basic connections coming into Essential Connections Portal is 19 June 2023, pending no technical challenges.

Secure Web Forms (SWF) will remain open for Certificate Compliance Electrical Works (CCEW) and/or Notification of Service Work (NOSW) 19 June 2023 - 3 July 2023 following Go-Live to give you time to submit your ITC for works beyond the end of June 2023.

But please note: To encourage you to quickly switch across to Essential Connections, there will be no fees for CCEWs and NOSWs submitted in Essential Connections Portal for the first 2 weeks. (Don’t forget, you need to submit the ITC first if the works relate to an approved connection offer).

How you’ll transition these and other basic activities from Secure Web Forms (SWF) and emails into Essential Connections Portal is set out below.

If you are doing service or electrical works between 19 June 2023 and 3 July 2023.

Works where no connection offer required.

• Complete the works submit CCEW and/or NOSW in Essential Connections Portal, Select CCEW / NOSW for ‘works where no Connection Application Required’.

Connection offer received.

• Submit Intent To Connect (ITC) for all upcoming works in the Essential Connections Portal and submit CCEW and/or NOSW in the Essential Connections Portal. There will be no fees for CCEWs and NOSWs submitted in the Essential Connections from 19 June to 3 July.
• You will need the Application case number and Essential Connections Number (ECN) to submit the ITC.
• If you did not submit the application, please ask your customer for those details (Application case number and ECN).
• Alternatively, during the period of 19 June 2023 and 3 July 2023, you can still submit CCEW and/or NOSW in Secure Web Forms (SWF). Fees still apply.

From July 4, Secure Web Forms will be switched off for CCEWs and NOSWs.

Will be read-only for access to previous records. All CCEWs and NOSWs will need to be submitted in Essential Connections Portal from 4 July.

You will need to:

1. Submit the Intent to Connect (ITC).
2. Complete other pre-installation checks if required e.g., Protection Settings & Switchboard Review Requests (switchboards >100amps) Non-Standard Approval Request.
3. Complete the works and submit CCEW and /or NOSW.

For defect rectification (including safety and private asset defects)

If your CCEW and / or NOSW was submitted in Secure Web Forms:

• During the period of 19 June 2023 and 3 July 2023 please re-submit CCEW/ NOSW in Secure Web Forms.
• After July 3, 2023, please complete and return paper copies to eir.info@essentialenergy.com.au. We will provide additional communications after Go-Live on 19 June 2023 on where to find a copy of the CCEW form to be completed.

If your CCEW and / or NOSW was submitted in Essential Connections Portal, please re-submit in Essential Connections Portal (select appropriate defect category).

NOTE:

For applications submitted in the old NECF portal (these projects have a 6-digit connection offer number as opposed to the ‘ECN-xxxxxx’ format connection offer in Essential Connections), please contact 13 23 91 and provide us the details of the NECF connection offer and we will advise you of your next steps.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this and past communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

The go live date for basic connections coming into Essential Connections Portal is 19 June 2023, pending no technical challenges.

From 19 June, Protection Settings Requests for Switchboards, Switchboard Review Requests and basic Non-Standard Approval requests will be managed in Essential Connections.

You will need to complete these where relevant before you can undertake works and submit a Certificate Compliance Electrical Works (CCEW) and / or Notification of Service Work (NOSW) via Essential Connections Portal.

Here's what to do:

I need to get Protections Settings for a Switchboard >100amps.

• Submit a Protection Setting Request for Switchboards via Essential Connections Portal.
• You will need the Essential Connections Number (ECN) and Application case number.
• If you did not submit the application, please ask your customer for those details.
• For applications submitted in the old NECF portal, please contact 13 20 80 and ask for your reference numbers so you can submit the Protection Setting Request.

I need to submit a Switchboard Review Request.

• Submit a Switchboard Review Request via Essential Connections Portal.
• You need approved Protections Settings before you can submit a Switchboard Review Request. You will need the ECN and Protection Setting Case Number to submit this form.
• All Switchboard review requests that have been submitted via email before 19 June will be processed by email. No new submissions will be accepted in the mailbox from 19 June.

I am planning works that vary from design and construction standards and the rules. I need to submit a Non-Standard Approval Request.

• Submit a Non-Standard Approval Request via Essential Connections Portal.
• You will need the Application reference numbers to submit the Non-Standard Approval (NSA). If you did not submit the application, please ask the customer for those details (Application number and ECN).
• For applications submitted in the old NECF portal, please contact 13 20 80 and ask for your reference numbers so you can submit the ITC.

Clarifying requirements for like-for like switchboard replacements >100amps: Connection application required.

Connection applications are required for replacements of any switchboards over 100amps.

This requirement aims to resolve confusion around this topic. For example, in the past some contractors / ASPs requesting switchboard reviews have found that they need to submit a connection application before they can have their switchboard reviewed due to the potential impacts of changes to electrical protection or earthing even where there is no load change.

To ensure all >100amp switchboard replacements are properly assessed as to their potential impact on our network, we will be requiring a connection application for all replacements of switchboards over 100amps. This change will come into immediate effect.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View all communications via Essential Engagement

Further Information

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

Getting ready for basic connections: Ceasing forward drafts of CCEWs (Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works) or NOSWs (Notices of Service Works) Switchboard review approach and Non-standard approval fee.

Here’s our latest action and information update.

Please don’t draft Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works or Notices of Service Works in Secure Web Form for works after 20th June 2023.

Essential Connections will replace Secure Web Forms and emails for basic connections activities from mid 2023. This will include submission of CCEWs (Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works) or NOSWs (Notices of Service Works).

Your action: With this in mind, please do not draft Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works or Notices of Service Works in Secure Web Form for works that will be completed on or after 20th June 2023. These will not be copied across to Essential Connections and will result in you needing to redo them.

How will Switchboard Reviews be done?

Approval to connect new and upgraded electrical installations greater than 100 Amps is dependent on provision of main switchboard information as set out in the Service and Installation Rules of NSW (Section 4, 4.15 LV Services > 100 amps).

The switchboard review process involves two steps:

1. Protection Settings Request for Switchboards to be used in the design of the switchboard.
2. Request for a Switchboard Review.

Both of these steps will be undertaken in the Essential Connections Portal by a registered user.

You will not be able to submit a protection settings request unless you have an approved connection offer . In addition, you will not be able to submit a Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works or Notices of Service Works until the Protections Settings Request and Switchboard Review are completed/ approved.

Closer to go live, we will share a short demonstration video and a step-by-step guide to show you how to submit protections settings requests and switchboard reviews. We will also cover what you need to do for a like-for-like replacements.

What’s new with non-standard approvals for basic connections: submission in Essential Connections and a new fee.

A non-standard approval is required where you seek to vary from our construction standards, the Australian / New Zealand wiring rules (AS/NZ 3000) and the NSW Service and Installation rules.

From mid 2023, basic non-standard approval will be done in the Essential Connections portal. Previously they were managed via email or phone. This will ensure a more consistent, timely response and visibility of all requests. Essential Energy will respond to a non-standard approval within 15 business days.

We are introducing a fee for basic non-standard approvals. Under the Regulatory Framework, Essential Energy is obliged to recover costs we incur during the connections process from the customers requiring the service – this includes the costs of assessing non-standard approval requests. We have been charging Level 3 ASPs this fee for several years and we are now extending this fee to cover L2 ASPs and ECs requests.

The non-standard design approval fee is an hourly rate. On average it takes approximately 30 mins to process a basic connection non-standard approval request. The fee has been approved by the Australian Energy Regulator following a thorough assessment of the costs involved in performing such services.

Closer to go live, we will share a short demonstration video and a step-by-step guide to show you how to submit a non-standard approval.

What do you need to do?

1. Please do not draft Certificates of Compliance for Electrical Works or Notices of Service Works in Secure Web Forms for works that will be completed on or after 20th June 2023.
2. Keep reading our emails about basic connections coming into Essential Connections.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
4. View this and past communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

The AER has approved Essential Energy’s new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services from 1 July 2023.

As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), please use the new charges applicable to the services you provide when preparing quotations for work to be undertaken after 30 June 2023.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the 2023-24 Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services available on the Essential Energy website
2. Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
4. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further information

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

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, Earthing, how to use the Network Information Portal, as well as updates from Contestable Design and Planning, BetterConnect, Essential Connections and Neara.

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.

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 9:00am – 11:00am Register Here

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 5:00pm – 7.00pm Register Here

A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting once you have registered.

What do you need to do?

1. Select the session time above that suits you and reserve your spot.
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.

There are new functions coming for basic connections.

These include notifications, reminders and a collaboration function that will help you do business more easily with Essential Energy.

Essential Connections will replace Secure Web Forms and emails for basic connections activities from mid 2023. What you may of missed and further information is available on Essential Engagement.

With all key activities being done in one system, the basic connections process will be more streamlined and easier to track and manage.

Essential Connections also has automatic notifications and reminders, and a collaboration function to help you work with Essential Energy teams across the life of the connection process. This email explains how these will work.

The diagram below shows the basic connections activities that will be managed in Essential Connections. Notifications and reminders that will be sent out by Essential Connections at different times are also explained below.

Collaboration with Essential Energy through Essential Connections

You may also receive task notifications through Essential Connections if more information is required to complete a request. You will get an email as well as a ‘bell’ icon appearing in the corner of your screen when you log into Essential Connections.

You can complete tasks, including document uploads, and send messages to Essential Energy - all through Essential Connections.

We will show you how this works as part of training, closer to go live.

What do you need to do?

1. Keep reading our emails about basic connections coming into Essential Connections.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. View this and past communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

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?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this and past communications via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

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:

1. Requests of Service Works (ROSW)
2. Requisition for supply of FIRs

What do you need to do?

1. 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.

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?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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