You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Background
Construction – the final phase of the contestable works process - will be progressively transitioned to the new Essential Connections Platform from February 2024.
Level 1 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Essential Energy personnel involved in the process will be on-boarded and familiarised with the new portal facilitating real time projects. This approach is designed to create efficiency for the Level 1 ASPs and provide contextualised, hands-on guidance and support while minimising impacts to project timelines and Level 1 ASPs resources.
How will this work?
As we transition to the new system, Level 1 ASPs will continue to submit a CEOF6012 - Notice to Commence Construction (NTCC) via the contestable works inbox. We will review each NTCC and, based on timelines for the construction and connection of the works, determine whether to progress the project through the new Essential Connections platform.
A member of the ASP Relations team will contact you within 48 hours of receiving the NTCC to commence the ‘guided’ project process. We will provide step by step guidance and support throughout the facilitation of your projects. We will provide access to comprehensive support material and user guides to allow you to rapidly adapt to the new portal.
You’ll need a mobile device to administer your projects in the Essential Connections portal. The platform is compatible with all device types and offers on and off-line capability for field-based users.
We will continue to provide direct support and guidance with multiple projects over the course of 2024. As you become increasingly familiar and confident in the new platform, you will be encouraged to facilitate all new construction projects directly into the Essential Connections platform.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What’s Happening?
As you know, we’ve made changes to Asset Testing and Commissioning which impact Level 1 ASPs who complete asset testing as part of customer connections.
These changes include:
- Updated Testing and Commissioning Manuals (CEOP5125 / CEOM5125D).
- 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.
For those who were unable to attend our recent online information sessions, video recordings are now available for you to watch at your own convenience. Click here to watch.
Re-issued CEOF5125 Forms
New versions of the CEOF5125 Forms have been re-issued in the Document Library. These forms follow the steps detailed in the revised CEOM5125D Manual.
Excel versions are also available which include pass / fail and calculation functionality.
It is expected that ASP’s will commence using the re-issued CEOF5125’s for new projects from 1 January 2024. Existing projects can continue to use the previous version until completion of that project.
Asset Testing and Commissioning Refresher Training
An online refresher training course is available for Level 1 ASPs, which provides further information and guidance for distribution asset testing.
We recommend that key ASP personnel who perform asset testing and fill in CEOF1525s should complete this course, as the information is practical and aimed at improving understanding and consistency.
We encourage you to enrol in the course to align with your Authorisation (e.g. UG or OH / UG & OH).
See enrolment guide: Assest Testing & Commissioning Refresher ASP Training Enrolment Guide.
What do you need to do?
- Click the Communication Session link above to watch detailed information session recordings.
- Access the re-issued CEOF5125’s and incorporate for new projects from January 2024. Available on the Document Library.
- Register your qualified personnel for Asset Testing & Commissioning refresher training.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
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?
As an interim solution to a current supply shortage of 22kV surge arrestors, Essential Energy has approved an alternative arrestor that has the same system voltage, but a slightly higher rating and length.
Due to its longer in length, there is potential to confuse this alternative arrestor with a 33kV arrestor. To clearly identify the alternative 22kV arrestor, we’re attaching a black and yellow label to it.
Availability of standard 22kV arrestors should return to normal around mid-2024.
What do you need to do?
- Please ensure you use the correct system voltage arrestors when working on Essential Energy’s network.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
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?
We’ve uploaded a copy of our November 2023 ASP Zoom Forums slide presentation to Essential Engagement for those of you who weren’t able to attend.
To access the presentation, click here to view now, or go to Essential Engagement and click on the Forum heading on the right-hand side.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Accredited Services Providers (ASPs) must hold the appropriate accreditation for projects that involve paper insulated lead covered cables.
The ASP company accreditation with the Office of Energy and Climate Change must indicate Category 1B for projects incorporating paper insulated lead covered cables.
ASPs without the appropriate company accreditation are not allowed to commence construction.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What’s happening?
Secure Web Forms (SWF) will be unavailable on Wednesday, 29 November from 4pm till 7pm for necessary system maintenance.
This will also impact our Essential Connection Portal and you will be unable to submit a Notice of Service Works (NOSW) during this timeframe. We apologise for any inconvenience.
If you experience any other issues with Essential Connection during this time, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
What do you need to do?
- Please log out of Secure Web Forms prior to 4pm on Wednesday, 29 November 2023.
- Do not submit any NOSW during the system maintenance.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
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?
We’ve updated our Privacy Policy to allow customer information to be shared with ASPs and other external parties without the need for prior customer approval.
What are the benefits?
ASPs can consult directly with impacted customers in their early planning stages for work and associated outages including generator request, to pro-actively address any concerns or potential issues.
How can I obtain customer information?
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Requests for information should be submitted on your behalf either by:
- the Essential Energy employee managing your outage request, or
- the Network Assurance Facilitator you’re working with.
- Please ensure your request includes all ASP or other third-party contact details, including name, email address, contact phone number, business name and relevant Network Access Request (NAR) or work details.
- We’ll send the requested customer information via email.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please visit Essential Energy’s website: https://engage.essentialenergy.com.au/privacy, or email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
REMINDER:
Essential Energy strictly prohibits non-electrically qualified personnel authorised under Class 1X as Competent Assistants and Plant Operators from engaging in construction and installation of electricity network infrastructure.
Only appropriately qualified personnel who hold relevant 1A, 1B or 1C authorisation issued by Essential Energy can undertake the installation and construction of electricity network infrastructure.
Class 1X Competent Assistants and Plant Operators can provide assistance to the appropriately qualified personnel with the below tasks:
- conduit and duct installation
- underground cable hauling
- hard cover and soft tap installation
- pole and streetlight erection and removal.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy’s November ASP engagement forums will be held via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:
- Safety
- Standards – Updates to the overhead and underground manuals, as well as Construction News and transitioning to composite poles
- Contestable Design – CEOM7001 Construction Plan Requirements, New Earthing Guide and tips for Neara
- Improvements to surveyor’s advice
- Updates to our easement policies
- Essential Connections –the platform, upcoming construction and commissioning roll out, next steps for CEOP2015 Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works (Guidelines) and process changes.
We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions, make suggestions and raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Dates and Times
A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting link once you have registered.
What do you need to do?
- Select the session time above that suits you and reserve your spot.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
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 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?
- Review your planned interruption schedule for the dates above and work with your nominated Local Depot Switching Resource to reschedule where required.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Briefing – CEOM7098 issue 16 - Underground Design manual changes (382 KB) (pdf)
Policy/Documents
