You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
In February, the NSW Government advised solar energy businesses that it was developing a Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Installer Portal, which will support the Emergency Backstop Mechanism in NSW by making it easier for installers to comply with new obligations.
Solar businesses and industry associations have asked the NSW Government and NSW DNSPs (Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy) to ensure that industry advice has been considered when developing the NSW CER Installer Portal.
You can Click here to find updates on:
- industry engagement during portal development
- current project status, and
- a program of support and training we’re developing to help you prepare for these changes.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Find additional details regarding the Emergency Backstop Mechanism and the CER Install Portal on the DCCEWW website
- View this communication via Essential Engagement.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email future.networks@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Essential Energy sent out a satisfaction survey invitation on Thursday 4th September (subject: Annual ASP/EC Satisfaction Survey Your Feedback Needed) to gather feedback on our connections services.
Thank you to those who have already completed the survey - your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help us improve our services.
This survey focuses on your experience with the Connections Portal, Connections Process, our communication, and overall ease of doing business with Essential Energy.
Your feedback is valuable in helping us identify what's working well and areas where we can improve our services to better support your business needs.
The survey takes approximately 4-6 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential. We encourage you to provide honest feedback to help us enhance our service delivery.
What do you need to do?
- Complete the customer satisfaction survey if you haven't already check your email for the invitation sent Thursday 4th September
- Provide honest feedback about your experience over the past 12 months
- Share this reminder with relevant members of your organisation who interact with Essential Energy's connections services and may have received the survey invitation
- View this communication via Essential Engagement
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?
The Essential Connection Information Session with Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors was held on 27 August 2025. To view the slide deck, click here and the recording 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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
We’ve recently become aware of a bug within issue 8 of the CEOF1070.02 - Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet PDF file that caused some results not to display the calculated risk score.
We apologise for any inconvenience. We’ve fixed this bug, and a new version of the file – Issue 9 – is now available to download from the Document Library. Please use this latest version for all Design Submissions.
What do you need to do?
- Review the above and download the latest version from the Document Library.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
On 15 May 2025, Essential Energy applied for a ring-fencing waiver to establish a training academy with hubs in Goulburn, Grafton, Orange, Parkes, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga and deliver contestable technical and safety training courses to the electricity industry.
The facility will aim to provide accredited training to future-proof internal workforce sustainability and, through commercial course offerings, address existing skills shortages and evolving training needs across the broader energy sector.
The waiver (from clauses 3.1(b), 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 of the Ring-fencing Guideline (electricity distribution), would enable Essential Energy to offer two certificate IV courses from 2025 to meet current industry demand, ahead of establishing a full training academy by 2027.
Your input is welcomed
The AER will be interested to hear from third parties supporting the waiver on:
- Need for skilled workforce in regions for energy projects out to 2050 (project proponents)
- What is the current availability of training services in regions for energy projects and where lack of availability, what is the impact on project economics and delivery (project proponents) Benefits to projects and regional economic development of having regionally based workforce training (project proponents, regional councils-business community) in the short and longer-term
- Benefits to safety and overall workforce capability in underserved areas.
You can lodge your written submission through the AER website here - Initiation | Australian Energy Regulator (AER), via e-mail to AERringfencing@aer.gov.au.
Submissions must be lodged by close of business on 5 September 2025.
What do you need to do?
- Find further information, including the initiation notice, on the AER website, click here to view.
- 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 will be hosting an opt-in support session for Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors with questions relating to the Essential Connections Portal. The session will run for 1 hour – please drop in anytime, you can ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.
The opt-in support session will be held on Wednesday 27 August 2025 from 8 am to 9 am - please click here to register.
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
- 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?
On 22 July 2025, Essential Energy announced it had moved the timing for submission of Protection Settings and Switchboard Review requests to assist with lead times on standard connection projects. To further improve this process, we have also removed the requirement of an Intent to Connect (ITC) case being submitted prior to Protection Settings or Switchboard Review requests.
Key Changes:
- Any registered Essential Connections user can submit Protection Settings and Switchboard Review requests directly.
- There is no need for a Level 2 ASP or Electrical Contractor to first submit an ITC.
Submission Timing Remains Unchanged:
- Basic Connection Projects – After Connection Offer is issued.
- Standard Connection Projects – After Design Information Pack has been issued.
Compliance Item Completion:
- NOSW and CCEWs can only be submitted once all compliance items (Protection Settings and Switchboard Review) are completed.
- These must be submitted by a Level 2 ASP or Electrical Contractor.
- NOTE: It is the responsibility of the Connection Applicant (or their nominated representative) to ensure the engaged Level 2 ASP or Electrical Contractor are aware of all compliance items and any related site-specific conditions.
What do you need to do?
- Continue to submit your requests through the Essential Connections Portal.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
We are aware that some users have recently experienced issues with the IdentityONE app. Specifically, the app may not allow access to sites, and the Home Page may not display the usual information.
Please do not delete the app.
App needs to refresh. The solution is to swipe and force the app to fully close, then re-open, which will refresh the app. We recommend you try this option first.
- Click here to view how to swipe close an app on iPhone.
- Click here to view how to close an app on Android phone.
As a last check, try turning your phone off and back on.
Additionally, we have made the following improvements to the app:
- Users will no longer receive emails or notifications to approve or reject updated authorisations. This process is now automated.
- The IdentityONE app has adopted the new Essential Energy branding and colours.
Thank you for your attention and understanding.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email Essential Energy Security at eesecurity@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
The Essential Connection Information Session with Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors was held on 30 July 2025. To view the slide deck, click here and the recording 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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
Essential Energy will be hosting an opt-in support session for Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contractors with questions relating to the Essential Connections Portal. The session will run for 1 hour – please drop in anytime, you can ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.
The opt-in support session will be held on Wednesday 27 August 2025 from 8 am to 9 am - please click here to register.
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
IS-041 Private pole failure during pole replacement work_ ASP (264 KB) (pdf)