Reimbursement for reconnection – flood impacted customers North Coast

What is Happening?

Essential Energy continues to work hand in hand with many ASPs across the flood impacted North Coast, repairing the significantly damaged electricity network and reconnecting power for customers whose properties were inundated with flood water.

The process for customers for reconnection involves three-steps.

1. Arrange for either a licensed electrician or Level 2 Authorised Service Provider (ASP) to inspect property to make sure it is safe.
2. When the inspection is completed, the electrician will log a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) and provide the customer with a CCEW reference number.
3. Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to have your power restored.

Where a customer engaged Level 2 ASP performs the reconnection process, they charge the customer for this service. As Essential Energy is waiving the reconnection fee where we perform this service, and to ensure that all customers are treated equally, Essential Energy has offered to reimburse customers who are reconnected by an ASP up to $350 for that reconnection.

Given the trying conditions our customers are facing, Essential Energy will now streamline this process and pay Level 2 ASPs directly for reconnection on behalf of a flood-affected customer once they have completed the reconnection.

How do I arrange payment for customer reconnection work?

Once inspection and the necessary repairs to a premises’ switchboard and internal wiring has occurred, a CCEW provided and reconnection completed by a Level 2 ASP, the following process can be followed for payment:

Submit to Essential Energy via emailing connection.enquiries@essentialenergy.com.au

• An itemised invoice for the reconnection process.
• Copy of the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work.
• Copy of the Notice of Service Works (NOSW) when reconnection at Essential Energy service main.
• Completed new vendor information form.

This process needs to be followed for every individual NMI. There will be one reimbursement for each NMI.

For clarity there are circumstances where ASPs will not receive a payment for each individual unit/complex as there is only 1 NMI connection to Essential Energy network for these sites. Examples of where there is only one reconnection to the network for the below and 1 claim for reimbursement up to $350 are:

• Residential unit complexes
• Caravan parks with private metering
• Commercial complexes with multiple units
• Industrial complexes with multiple units

It is important to note that Essential Energy is funding the cost of reconnection up to $350, and any repairs to the customer’s electrical installation will not be reimbursed. Essential Energy has processes in place to ensure that claims for reconnection costs are not paid where Essential Energy has performed the reconnection.

The Customer Contact Centre will provide a Case Number by return email. Please keep this number as your reference.

The reimbursement will be provided by direct credit to your nominated bank account.

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.