Level 1 ASPs

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.

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.

What is happening?

The Youreka Mobile app has been updated to version 6.0.3. This should fix the “Expired Token” error that users have been receiving.

To ensure you’re using the latest version, please go to your Apple App Store or Android Google Play and search ‘Youreka’ to check if a manual update is required.

Please note: Depending on your device settings, your apps may update automatically, and no manual update will be required.  

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Ensure you are using the latest version of the Youreka Mobile app on your mobile device.
3. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

The Youreka Mobile app has been updated to version 6.0.1.

To ensure you’re using the latest version, please go to your Apple App Store or Android Google Play and search ‘Youreka’ to check if a manual update is required.

The deadline date has been extended, and you must complete this before the 11 May 2026 to ensure your created forms to sync correctly with the Essential Connections Portal. 

Please note: Depending on your device settings, your apps may update automatically, and no manual update will be required.  

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Ensure you are using the latest version of the Youreka Mobile app on your mobile device.

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 new regulatory charges 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 charges applicable to the services you provide when preparing quotations for work to be undertaken after 30 June 2026.

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, 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.

Further information

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

What is happening?

The Essential Energy Connections virtual forum was held on 28 April 2026. To view the supporting slide deck, click here.

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.

Construction News Engineering

The latest issue of Essential Energy CN26-05 33kV Lucy Aegis Switchgear 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 David Shephard or Aaron Green via email.

What is happening?

Essential Energy’s Biannual Connections forum will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2026 via Microsoft Teams. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:

• Safety – what are we seeing
• Network assurance – what are we seeing and how you can help us
• Changes to the asset label process
• Reminder about the Level 3 Authorisation Agreement
• More information on the design certification audit tool
• Public lighting – changes to metering for type 8 & 9 lights
• How we can all help our agricultural customers electrify their diesel pumping
• Introducing the Essential Energy Training Academy
• Update from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Ask us anything Q&A session

We encourage you to participate in this forum. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members This includes time allocated for you to ask us anything.

To help us better respond to your questions on the day, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with the topics or issues you would like addressed.

Note: this is a live session, and a recording will not be shared.

Registration

The forum will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2026 from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon – please click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Click on register to reserve your spot
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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