What is Happening?

We have received feedback on the challenges being faced when a job requires surveyor's advice. As a result, we have undertaken working groups with ASPs and Surveyors and shared the first steps on 9 October 2023. To recap we have updated the CEOF2579 - Surveyor’s Advice, surveyors now have the option to provide a stamped asset location survey plan instead of a letter.

To further assist we would like to suggest that you consider the following to help you commence construction within the desired timeframe:

• Customer or ASP engages the Surveyor early in the project.
• Surveyor pegs out the boundaries and asset locations for the constructor.
• Construction works are completed within the pegged boundaries.
• When practicable for underground assets, the trench is left open until the Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) can visually sight the cable/conduits and confirm the assets are being constructed within the pegged boundaries/easement at mid-construct (where applicable.
• Arrange for the Surveyor to attend site (prior to backfilling) to sight and confirm location of installed assets.
• Provide detailed photos that clearly show peg locations relative to the trench or cable installation – use a measuring device to provide scale in the photo.

As a reminder, it is a requirement of CEOP2015 - Contestable Works Guidelines that asset locations are confirmed by survey to be located within an easement area, or within the road reserve and Essential Energy’s asset allocation. It is very important that the assets are installed as per the certified design so as to avoid safety issues or legal disputes in the future. To ensure a safe, reliable distribution network, our assets need to be protected.

If you are unable to engage a surveyor for a specific job, please speak to your local Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) to discuss exceptional circumstances, this will be escalated and considered on a case-by-case basis.

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’s Happening?

Essential Energy has made changes to Asset Testing and Commissioning. These changes impact Level 1 ASPs who complete asset testing as part of customer connections.

These changes include:

• Updated Testing and Commissioning Manuals (CEOP5125 / CEOM5125).
• Newly developed assistance guides such as user guides and videos.
• Digital test forms for field completion (integrating into Essential Energy Connections Portal).
• Refresher training package available for qualified ASP staff.

Information Sessions

Three online information sessions have been scheduled for ASPs who would like to attend, the sessions will run for approximately 1-1.5 hours.

The sessions aim to provide an in-depth overview of the changes through a presentation and live demonstrations, and there is also opportunity to ask questions and delve deeper into the discussion topics.

Session Dates / Times

• Thursday 26 October 12.00 – 1.30pm
• Tuesday 31 October 9.30 – 11.00am
• Wednesday 1 November 3.00 – 4.30pm
  

For those who cannot attend, there will be a recorded session made available for you after the last session date on Essential Engagement to be viewed at you connivence.

What do you need to do?

If you are interested in joining one of the information sessions:

1. Select the session time above, register and then add the invitation to your calendar.
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?

To minimise the disruption to customers during the Christmas / New Year period, no planned interruptions with a customer impact will be scheduled from 18 December 2023 to the 1 January 2024 and will resume on 2 January 2024.  

We will have limited resources to undertake Contestable Works during the same period with business resuming as normal from 2 January 2024.  Essential Connections will still be available for submissions; however, limited resources will be available to process requests.

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 aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is Happening?

Essential Energy has listened to feedback from ASPs and EC and has created a Submit button for applications with a ‘Draft’ status.

You can now resume, complete, and submit draft applications by clicking on the new Submit button.

If you continue to experience any issues, please contact aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

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?

The Surveyors Advice letter (CEOF2579) has been updated to align with the feedback from the ASP Focus Group and the Surveyors Consultation Group.

The Surveyor now has the option to provide a copy of this letter on their letterhead or alternatively provide a stamped Asset Location Survey plan.

The Asset Location Survey Plan is a survey/plan with red lines marked on it by the surveyor, showing where the electricity assets have been installed.

Thank you to those who provided feedback and potential solutions on this matter. Essential Energy is committed to working with you to improve our processes.

What do you need to do?

1. Download the latest copy of Surveyors Advice Letter (CEOF2579) from the Document Library
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?

On the 5 September 2023 Essential Energy communicated that we would be transitioning from physical identification cards to a fully Digital ID solution.

We are now communicating to you to announce the solution will be implemented and going live on the 4 October 2023 from 10am.

The Digital ID solution will enable individuals to authenticate their identity online without the time and effort required to physically collect, handle, and store important documents. Once verified, this will allow Essential Energy to issue individual Digital ID’s more efficiently and securely.

The solution is a 3-part application:

1. IdentityONE – solution for issuing digital IDs.
2. CaptureME – integrates with IdentityONE where users will upload their photo id and verification documents.
3. IDmobile – installed on your smartphone, providing a digital version of your traditional card.

What to except

• From 4 October 2023, Essential Energy will issue individuals with a One Time Password and instructions to self-enrol in in the Digital ID using CaptureMe. The email will be sent from: idmodle.support@uniocard.com.au. As of Monday 9th October they will start coming from captureme@essentialenergy.com.au.
• On receipt, individuals are to follow the instructions on how to upload individual identification and photo and submit the request.
• Essential Energy will action the request and issue an email with instructions on how to install IDmobile App and the Digital ID.
• Individuals will need to download ID mobile app onto their device and access their digital credentials.
• Once you have your Digital ID, existing physical cards are to be returned to Essential Energy Security, PO Box 5730, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 for secure destruction.

We understand that transitioning to the new system will require adjustments and we appreciate your support and cooperation during this process. We believe the new solution will significantly enhance Essential Energy’s ability to manage authorisation when working on or near Essential Energy's network.

Privacy

• Essential Energy is mandated to meet strict compliance requirements to protect users’ privacy and security, and control against fraud.
• All information and data collected by Essential Energy is classified as ‘Protected Data’. All protected data will be stored on IT infrastructure that is physically located in Australia. The data is only accessible from within Australia, by authorised personnel, and will not be exported outside Australia. The Digital ID solution meets Australian legislation requirements for data storage and Essential Energy own the IdentityONE Server. Users' personal information is not held by identityONE.
• Once verified, all identity documents are disposed of securely by Essential Energy and in accordance with Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
• For more information, refer to the Essential Energy Privacy Policy.

What do you need to do?

1. Expect an email from idmodle.support@uniocard.com.au. As of Monday 9 October they will start coming from captureme@essentialenergy.com.au.
2. A ‘How to guide’, Digital Identification User Guide is available to assist you with transitioning to the new way of doing business.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email Essential Energy Security at eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is Happening?

Essential Energy is transitioning to an increased use of composite poles due to evolving business needs. Key benefits of composite poles include supply certainty, manufacturing consistency, fire resilience, immunity to rot, decay, termites and corrosion, light weight, and non-conductive nature. Following long term trials, some regions predominantly use composite poles while others continue to use a blend of timber and composite poles. Supply contracts are in place and approved suppliers listed on our Approved Materials list CEOM7004, can be downloaded from Essential Energy Document Library

While composite poles have a higher upfront cost, they are easier to install, provide a longer life and lower maintenance costs due to immunity to degradation mechanisms that affect other pole types. The lifecycle costs over the long asset life is favourable over other pole types. AER engagement has indicated that our transition plans will be supported through the regulatory proposal.

ASPs can choose composite or timber poles but with full suite of standards and approved materials, can consider composite poles in locations of most value like high bushfire risk or termite risk sites, difficult access locations, operational poles etc.

For more information, please click on the link for Composite Pole Journey and FAQs.

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?

On the 5 September 2023 Essential Energy communicated that we would be transitioning from physical identification cards to a fully Digital ID solution.

We are now communicating to you to announce the solution will be implemented and going live on the 4 October 2023 from 10am.

The Digital ID solution will enable individuals to authenticate their identity online without the time and effort required to physically collect, handle, and store important documents. Once verified, this will allow Essential Energy to issue individual Digital ID’s more efficiently and securely.

The solution is a 3-part application:

1. IdentityONE – solution for issuing digital IDs.
2. CaptureME – integrates with IdentityONE where users will upload their photo id and verification documents.
3. IDmobile – installed on your smartphone, providing a digital version of your traditional card.

What to except

• From 4 October 2023, Essential Energy will issue individuals with a One Time Password and instructions to self-enrol in in the Digital ID using CaptureMe. The email will be sent from: captureme@essentialenergy.com.au.
• On receipt, individuals are to follow the instructions on how to upload individual identification and photo and submit the request.
• Essential Energy will action the request and issue an email with instructions on how to install IDmobile App and the Digital ID.
• Individuals will need to download ID mobile app onto their device and access their digital credentials.
• Once you have your Digital ID, existing physical cards are to be returned to Essential Energy Security, PO Box 5730, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 for secure destruction.

We understand that transitioning to the new system will require adjustments and we appreciate your support and cooperation during this process. We believe the new solution will significantly enhance Essential Energy’s ability to manage authorisation when working on or near Essential Energy's network.

Privacy99/widgets/288060/documents/269769

• Essential Energy is mandated to meet strict compliance requirements to protect users’ privacy and security, and control against fraud.
• All information and data collected by Essential Energy is classified as ‘Protected Data’. All protected data will be stored on IT infrastructure that is physically located in Australia. The data is only accessible from within Australia, by authorised personnel, and will not be exported outside Australia. The Digital ID solution meets Australian legislation requirements for data storage.
• For more information, refer to the Essential Energy Privacy Policy.

What do you need to do?

1. Expect an email from captureme@essentialenergy.com.au from 4 October 2023.
2. A ‘How to guide’, Digital Identification User Guide is available to assist you with transitioning to the new way of doing business.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email Essential Energy Security at eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is Happening?

Essential Energy would like to clarify the role of non-electrically qualified person(s) that are authorised under the Class 1X. We have seen an increase of reported occurrences where Class 1X personnel have constructed network assets and worked unsupervised on contestable projects.

Essential Energy recognises the need for Class 1X personnel to engage in trade assistant work and/or general labourer tasks on contestable projects. It’s important to note Class 1X Competent Assistants and Plant Operators are not qualified to undertake the construction of network assets. Their role is limited and must only provide assistance to qualified and authorised person(s) during the construction of network assets.

Class 1X Non-Electrically Qualified Person(s) are Authorised under these Classes:

• Competent Assistant (Groundline / Ladder / EWP)
• Plant Operator
• Apprentice Powerline Worker / Apprentice Cable Jointer / Apprentice Electrician.

Class 1X apprentices are encouraged to assist with the construction of network assets under the supervision of qualified & authorised personnel. The level of supervision required shall be determined by the ASP and should be based on the level of workplace experience and exposure to the task being performed.

Please note that only qualified and authorised personnel with authorisation Class(s) 1A, 1B or 1C undertake the construction of network assets and the attendance of a qualified and authorised person(s) relevant to the work being performed must always be on-site.

Class 1X Competent Assistants / Plant Operators working on or near the network are prohibited from:

• Performing work on a pole or structure supporting energised HV or LV electrical apparatus
• Work greater than two metres aloft on any network structure or network asset
• Making and/or breaking electrical connections (including earth grids)
• Carrying out testing on electrical apparatus.

Where it is suspected that Class 1X personnel have performed prohibited tasks, Essential Energy will commence an investigation into the matter. This may result in temporary suspension of the ASP’s company, cancellation of project connections and network assets to be reinstalled by appropriately qualified and authorised personnel.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

A new process has been put together to use the CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form (Return Stock Section) to allow you to return soft labels via the Portal for projects that have an ECN/ST number.

Please follow the below procedure:

• Create Asset Label Case as per normal procedure.
• Select Return Label Option and enter quantity of labels to be returned.
• Complete Return to Stock section of CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form.
• Attach CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form to the Asset Label case.
• Submit the request. Asset Label case will be assigned to the Asset Label Queue and completed via the normal process.

Older projects that do not have a current ECN/ST number and require soft asset labels to be returned will need to follow the below procedure:

1. Complete Return to Stock section of CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form.
2. Submit CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form via email to contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au.

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.