Level 2 ASPs

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 20 December 2021 to 6 January 2022.  

Also Contestable Works will be closed during the same period with business resuming as normal from 4 January 2022. 

Minimal processing of emails/documentation or Asset Labels will occur from Contestable Works mailbox during the above mentioned period.

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 or support, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is Happening?

In December 2020, Standards Australia released a new version of AS/NZS 4777.2 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters Part 2: Inverter requirements (AS/NZS 4777.2:2020).

The update included a range of changes to:

• improve inverter performance on the electricity network, and
• support increased adoption of solar Photovoltaic (PV), batteries and electric vehicles.

From 18 December 2021, amendments to the National Electricity Rules (NER) will require all grid connected inverters to comply with AS/NZS 4777.2:2020. Inverter manufacturers have been working to update their products to meet 2020 certification compliance and listing with the Clean Energy Council.

When do I need to start installing AS/NZS 4777.2 compliant inverters?

You can apply for a connection with an AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 inverter already. However, from 18 December 2021 it will be mandatory to apply for and install an AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 inverter.

When is the last date I can apply to install a 2015 compliant inverter?

Please submit applications to install an inverter that complies with AS/NZS 4777.2:2015 by Friday, 12 November 2021 to ensure you receive a connection offer by 18 December. We cannot guarantee that applications received after this date would receive a connection offer by 18 December.

Please also check that applications submitted by 12 November are correct and complete. This will avoid delays that could prevent Essential Energy completing our assessments by 18 December.

If I have a valid contract in place for a 2015 compliant inverter before the 18 December, can I install after the 18 December?

Yes. However, AS/NZS 4777.2:2015 compliant inverters installed from 18 December 2021 will not be eligible to receive STCs under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). For more information see the Clean Energy Regulator’s Website News item - Changes to Inverter Standard - AS/NZS 4777.2:2020.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the information above and ensure that any connection applications for an AS/NZS 4777.2:2015 compliant inverter are submitted prior to 12 November 2021.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further information

Further information can be found on the Clean Energy Council and Energy Networks Australia Website.

What is happening?

To protect everyone’s health and safety, we’ll hold our next round of ASP engagement forums via Zoom, rather than face to face.

In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including safety, our BetterConnect project, Encroachments, Network GIS access, Design and Certification updates, Service Installation Review, Standards, and the Neara design tool.

We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members.

Dates and times

Click on one of the options below to reserve your preferred session (all sessions will have the same content).

• Session 1: Tuesday, 23 November 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
• Session 2: Thursday, 25 November 2021 from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Session 3: Wednesday, 1 December 2021 from 09:00am to 11:00am

A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting details once you have registered.

What do you need to do?

1. Select the session date above and reserve your spot to attend one of our forums.
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?

As a Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP), Essential Energy is required to operate a certified Asset Management System to ISO 55001 requirements.

A key component of certification is our Asset Management Policy Statement, which underpins our Asset Management System. This Statement:

• describe the principles that shape our approach to asset management, and
• represent our commitment to achieving the best outcomes from all of our assets.

What do you need to do?

1. Review CECP1004 – Asset Management Policy Statement located on our Document Library.
2. Note where the policy may apply to the work you do as part of the Asset Management System.
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 Electrical Safety Rules CEOP8030 provide an unambiguous and uniform set of safe work requirements (rules) to all persons - employees, Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Contract Service Providers (CSPs) working on or near the Essential Energy electricity network.

The Electrical Safety Rules (ESR’s) are revised from time-to-time to reflect the outcomes of incident investigations, audits, safety briefs, policy and procedure updates, organisational changes and industry developments - including new technologies.

The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has completed a significant review and update of CEOP8030 Electrical Safety Rules that is now published on the Document Library as Issue 18.

There are no major policy or procedural changes in this update, but there are numerous minor changes and additions. All changes are summarised in the Revisions section at the end of the document and a yellow highlighted copy is available on Workplace, from the ESO or from your local Network Assurance Officer (NAF).

What do you need to do?

1. Download and review Safety Brief – SB-992_ASP CEOP8030 Electrical Safety Rules Issue 18 located on the Document Library and Essential Engagement.
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 Electrical Safety Office has recently Undertaken a review of CEOP8050 Working Above, Below or Adjacent to Energised Conductors.

This policy has been provided to ASPs as an awareness and can be used to review and consider as part of your own safety system.

The updated CEOP8050 – Working Above, Below or Adjacent to Energised Conductors is available within the Document Library.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and review Safety Brief SB-991 CEOP8050 Working above, below or adjacent to energised conductors update located on the Document Library and Essential Engagement.
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 formed a new, dedicated Connection Planning team to undertake technical assessment of low voltage connections applications. This will ensure we deliver consistent application of our Connection Policy requirements and improved technical support.

Key Connection Policy requirements

Essential Energy’s Connection Policy CEOP2513.06 is the determining document for capital contributions. It details the Urban and Rural thresholds for customer-funded and Essential Energy contributions for low voltage connections to our network.

In all cases, customers are responsible for funding connections requiring a dedicated high or low voltage network extension.

Essential Energy will only fund augmentation to the existing shared network where a low voltage connection is below the Urban or Rural thresholds described in CEOP2513.06.

Connection applicants, electrical contractors, Accredited Service Providers and consultants acting on behalf of connection applicants should make themselves familiar with the funding arrangements within the Policy.

The Connection Policy can be accessed from the Essential Energy's website by all customers connecting to the Essential Energy network.

What do you need to do?

1. Review Essential Energy Connection Policy CEOP2513.06 located on Essential Energy’s website.
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?

As previously communicated, Essential Energy will apply changes to some Ancillary Network Services (ANS) charges, effective from 30 September 2021. Changes include:

• applying 2019-2024 Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approved charges for Ancillary Network Services (ANS) which are not currently charged for. The first charge will recover the costs we incur to inspect work by an electrical contractor that requires submission of a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) to Essential Energy
• switching to a new secure online Payment Gateway (managed by the ANZ bank) to collect ANS charges via credit card payment
• transitioning some high-volume and low value ANS charges to upfront payment. The first charges to transition are the Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) Inspections, Re-Inspection of Electrical Work and Notice of Service Work (NOSW). Charges will apply at the time the CCEW or NOSW is submitted via Secure Web Forms (SWF). Other charges will transition to upfront payment over time.

Summary of changes

*All Rates in the above table are exclusive of GST

The above table of Ancillary Network Service and Amounts are as per the Price Schedule for Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 1 July 2021. These three Network Service changes will move to upfront payment via the secure online payment gateway.

“User Pays” Principle

These fees cover the costs of services that we already provide and are expected to charge for under our agreement with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

Under the Regulatory Framework, we need to recover those costs from the specific customers requiring the service.

As a State Owned Corporation, and in accordance with our regulatory obligations, this system is the fairest way of ensuring the costs are borne by those who require the service and supports Essential Energy’s continued focus on efficient and sustainable business practices that deliver downward pressure on power prices for all our customers into the future.

Better Customer Experience

By transitioning to upfront payments and switching to a new online payment gateway, we will improve your overall customer experience with Essential Energy:

• You will receive instant confirmation when the payment is successful.
• You will have the option to download or email tax receipts at the time of payment instead of having to wait for an invoice to be mailed.
• All payments are made in ANZ bank environment and no credit card details are kept or managed by Essential Energy. The ANZ environment meets the stringent regulatory requirements of financial institutions in Australia.

What do you need to do?

1. Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work.
2. Read the Frequently Asked Questions located on Essential Engagement.
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?

Essential Energy recognises the importance of continuous electricity supply to our customers particularly for Year 12 students who have or are about to commence HSC trial exams.

With the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, we recognise students across our distribution area may be completing HSC exams from locations other than school.

Essential Energy has written to Principals from all secondary schools in New South Wales, advising that we have implemented an additional process to minimise impacts on HSC students during their exams, if a planned power outage is required.

Essential Energy has developed an online form to help us work with affected students or schools. The form is available at essentialenergy.com.au/hsc. We are asking affected students or schools to complete this form as soon as they become aware of a planned outage impacting a trial exam or during the HSC exams.

The likelihood of an HSC student being affected by a planned power outage during a stay-at-home or self-isolate order would be rare. However, should a student be affected Essential Energy will strive to work with the student or school to minimise impacts of the planned power outage.

How can ASPs help?

We are asking ASPs to support affected HSC students and schools in minimising any disruption to students who may be impacted by an ASP planned power outage which coincides with either a trial or final HSC exam.

We draw your attention to the requirements of Essential Energy’s ‘Request for Planned Outage, Connection or Work Live LV Request’ form which requires third parties such as ASPs, to make reasonable attempts to address concerns raised by our customers.

Essential Energy will pass on to ASPs any request received from HSC students or schools in accordance with usual processes.

If an outage cannot be reasonably rescheduled, we recommend ASPs consider supplying and connecting a generator so that students can complete their important exams without any further disruptions.

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.

Update

In the three weeks since our last communication around COVID-19 compliance requirements, case numbers continue to increase significantly in the Greater Sydney area and there have been several cases in regional NSW due to workers and others travelling from Greater Sydney.

Our focus remains on protecting and promoting the health and well-being of our employees, our customers and communities, our contractors and suppliers. Where possible, we are minimising employee and Contract Service Provider (CSP) travel across our network and continuing to defer works involving travel to or from Greater Sydney. This is a practical measure to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in regional communities and resulting impacts on individuals and businesses.

We appreciate your compliance with the NSW Government’s current COVID-19 rules and restrictions to date and urge you to remain vigilant.

ASPs undertaking work involving travel to or from Greater Sydney should be aware of the associated risks and balance these against travel need and work urgency. This includes risks of planned work or travel being disrupted, in particular if employees or ASPs are required to isolate or are affected by changes to restrictions while they are away from home.

Remember, before you commence work on our network, you must provide evidence on site that the NSW Health requirements have been met.

If evidence of the requirements is not provided, Essential Energy has the right to cancel the outage.

Protocols when working with ASPs to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19

Risk-assessment of all planned outages and all work will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to assess the risk it poses to the community, Essential Energy employees and ASPs. Additional controls such as site exclusion zones and PPE may be required, depending on the nature and location of the work.

The following measures will be followed by Essential Energy employees when required to engage with ASPs to undertake risk assessed planned and/or emergency work while the COVID-19 emergency is active in the community.

• When making a booking or preparing to meet with ASPs on site, contact will be made to the ASP by phone to discuss what protocols are in place with the respective ASP.
• Essential Energy if satisfied that the ASP are working to the same protocols as set out by the Federal and State Government advice and guidelines with regards to social distancing measures and that there are no confirmed or suspected COVOD-19 cases being managed directly with the individual/s that you will be engaging with on site.
• When on site, Essential Energy will ensure the relevant risk assessment process is applied by asking the ASP if anyone is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. If there are any suspected or known cases of the individual/s, work will be ceased and escalate within Essential Energy.
• If the risk assessment allows work to proceed and there is an unavoidable document handling scenario as an exception, handling must be performed whilst maintaining minimum social distancing and wearing disposable gloves. Gloves must be disposed of immediately after use.

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.