Level 1 ASPs

What is happening?

On 23 June 2026 we shared the annual regulatory price change for Ancillary Network Services from 1 July 2026 and supporting Change Overview document. We received feedback that Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) would like more information, the document has been updated and is available on Essential Energy’s Essential Engagement.

The following have been updated:

• Planning, protection and power quality studies – Level 1 and Level 3 ASPs
• Design consultation– earthing studies – Level 3 ASPs
• Easement processing – design review – Solicitors and Surveyors

Please review the updated 2026-27 Ancillary Network Services ASP Change Overview document available on Essential Energy’s Essential Engagement.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services - 1 July 2026 available on the Essential Energy website.
2. Accredited Service Providers 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.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

If you have login or authentication issues with Essential Connections or Youreka, open the application in a separate private or incognito browser window. This helps avoid browser session conflicts, which are the most common cause of these issues.

Example below on how to open a private/incognito in browser:

What do you need to do?

1. Open the portal using an InPrivate or Incognito browser window.
2. Access the portal using the direct link rather than a saved bookmark.
3. If prompted to select an account, choose Use another account and sign in with the email address registered for Essential Energy access.
4. If multiple Microsoft accounts are signed in, sign out of all accounts and try again, or use a different browser.
5. If you're connected to a VPN, disconnect it and then retry accessing the portal.
6. For further information refer to the frequently asked questions available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
7. 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 3 August 2026, Adele Finch will be leading our Accredited Service Provider team as the ASP Connections Manager and will be your point of contact. Adele can be contacted via email adele.finch@essentialenergy.com.au.

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.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator. You can now log in to Essential Connections and Youreka.

Accredited Service Providers or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider or Electrical Contractor and require access, please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change impacts how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Energy systems, including Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed) and follow the setup instructions provided in the email sent from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au – or click here for instructions on the Essential Connections Support Page.
2. To prevent login conflicts and session errors when using two-factor authentication across multiple systems, always open Essential Connections and Youreka in separate, isolated browsing sessions like private or incognito windows.
3. 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?

As communicated on 16 July 2026 Essential Energy is updating its two-factor authentication (2FA) system, transitioning from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

To enable this change, Essential Connections will be unavailable from 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026, through to Monday 3 August 2026. A follow up communication will be issued once the change has been successfully implemented and Essential Connections is available again.

Accredited Service Providers and/or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider and/or Electrical Contractor and require access please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change will impact how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Do not try to sign into Essential Connections and Youreka during period the systems are unavailable.
2. Look out for the communication advising the systems are available again.
3. Be ready to use Microsoft Authenticator when you next sign-in.
4. The instructions are available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
5. 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?

Essential Energy is updating its two-factor authentication (2FA) system, transitioning from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator. This change will impact how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Energy systems, including Essential Connections, Neara and Youreka.

To enable this change, Essential Connections will be unavailable from 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026, through to Monday 3 August 2026. A follow up communication will be issued once the change has been successfully implemented and Essential Connections is available again.

What to expect?

You will receive an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au for pre-enrolment to Microsoft Authenticator. Please follow the instructions provided in the email.

Note: Please continue using OKTA to access Essential Connections until 5.00pm Thursday 30 July 2026.

To complete this process, you will require a mobile device and a second device (i.e.; computer, laptop, tablet or iPad) with a stable internet connection to action this change.

What do you need to do?

1. Once you have received your email, download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed). Then follow the setup instructions provided on the Essential Connections Support Page to complete the setup process.
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?

Essential Energy is committed to the safety of everyone who works on or near our network. This includes investigating any instances of unsafe work or activities where required.

In line with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approved Ancillary Network Services (ANS) fees and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines, Essential Energy will commence charging Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) for certain investigation activities.

Where an investigation is expected to incur a fee, Essential Energy will notify the ASP in advance before any charges are applied.

What does this mean for you?

• Fees will only apply to investigations where costs are recoverable under the ANS fee schedule.
• You will be advised prior to any charges being incurred.
• Investigations will continue to be conducted in a fair and transparent manner

The majority of ASPs who work on or near our network are committed to safe work practices and are unlikely to be impacted by the introduction of these cost recoverable charges.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Ensure your teams continue to follow safe work practices.
3. Familiarise yourself with the Ancillary Network Services fees schedule and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works).

Further Information

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

Construction News Engineering

The latest issue of Essential Energy CN26-08 CEOM7098 - Underground Cable Derating Requirements is now available, click here to view.

What do you need to do?

1. Please read and familiarise yourself with the content.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please contact Sujay Orpe or Peter Couch via email.

What is changing?

Essential Energy is transitioning the process for placing High Voltage Distribution Plant and Equipment to be energised into Service from the paper-based form CEOF6047.20 - System Control: Authority for Placing High Voltage Distribution Plant/Equipment into Service, to a digital form that will be completed by an Essential Energy Depot Commissioning Officer and submitted electronically to System Control.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Level 1 Accredited Service Providers should continue to complete all commissioning declaration information in Essential Connections prior to energisation.
• You are no longer required to submit the CEOF6047.20 - System Control: Authority for Placing High Voltage Distribution Plant/Equipment into Service form.
• Paper or PDF copies of CEOF6047.20 - System Control: Authority for Placing High Voltage Distribution Plant/Equipment into Service will no longer be accepted.
• System Control will only provide authority to place equipment into service once all requirements are visible and completed in the system.

What do you need to do?

1. Ensure you complete all tasks required to trigger the commissioning declaration in the Connection Portal.
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?

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved Essential Energy’s annual regulatory price change for Ancillary Network Services from 1 July 2026.

As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), please use the new/modified charges applicable to the services you provide when preparing quotations for work to be undertaken after 30 June 2026.

To help you understand these services we have provided the Ancillary Network Services 2026-27 Ancillary Network Services ASP Change Overview document that outlines the changes in services and pricing structures. This item can be downloaded from Essential Energy’s Essential Engagement.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services - 1 July 2026 available on the Essential Energy website.
2. Accredited Service Providers 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.

Further Information

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