Level 2 ASPs
Level 2 ASPs install overhead or underground service lines between the electrical wiring on a Connection Applicant’s premise and the electricity network. This includes connecting service lines to the network and making the connection live.
- Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 2 Accredited Service Providers;
- Critical information updates; and
- Other useful and relevant information.
If you need further information or support, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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NoSW / CCEW Historical Inspections Commencement
You may have noticed and/or observed, Essential Energy is currently undertaking additional inspections of customer connections or alterations. The inspections are being conducted on historical data ensuring customer Installation and Service Works are meeting the requirements of the NSW Service & Installation Rules, AS/NZS 3000:2007 and Essential Energy’s requirements in line with Code of Practice Installation Safety Management.Essential Energy has started with a pilot inspection program in the Coffs Harbour area and will extend the program to the remaining regions in our footprint in the coming months.What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market
IMPORTANT: Commencement of IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy MarketBelow are two reviews that Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have been asked to be undertaking by the NSW Minister of Energy:IPART has commenced its annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW for the most recent financial year.The report on 2017-18 period will be their fourth annual monitoring report on the retail electricity market and the first reviewing competition in the retail gas market since gas prices were deregulated on 1 July 2017.As part of this review, the NSW Minister for Energy and Utilities has also asked to report on:- electricity and gas price movements from July 2018, and whether any such changes reflect efficient costs in a competitive market, and
- whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer communication and service in their delivery of metering services
As part of the annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW, IPART have been asked to review NSW electricity retailers’ metering practices, and report on whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer service and communication.What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Participate in these reviews by click on the links and having your say on the above topics.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au -
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Installation of Cable Covers (Tiger Tails)
What’s happening?There have been several instances recently where Level 2 ASPs, or in some cases unauthorised trade contractors, have fitted cable covers (tiger tails) to energised overhead service lines.As a result of further investigation, it has been identified that confusion exists as to who is authorised to undertake this task. The WorkCover Code of Practice (CoP): Work Near Overhead Power lines provides direction in relation to the implementation of control measures for unauthorised persons working near low voltage overhead service lines.Consideration should be given to Eliminating the hazard by deenergising the supply for the duration of the work, and where there is a danger of physical damage to the overhead service its temporary removal. Where this is not practicable, separating the hazard from the worksite may be achieved through the installation of insulating matting and tiger tails at the point of attachment.Essential Energy’s responseCable covers must only be fitted to energised service lines for the purposes of adherence to the CoP by electrically qualified Essential Energy authorised employees. ASPs and contractors are not authorised to carry out these tasks as this is not classified as Contestable Work, unless working on behalf of Essential Energy under the conditions of a contract can these be installed.A Level 2 ASP can however, de-energise and remove a service line for the duration of the proposed works, or fit cable covers on a deenergised service line for mechanical protection and visual indication so long as the covers are removed prior to the installation being reenergised.When de-energising a service line, the service connections at the Point of Common Coupling must always be disconnected and made safe. The service line should then be visually assessed to determine its condition. If it is not of sound condition or there are other factors preventing the service removal. The disconnected service is to remain in situ and covered with insulating matting and tiger tails for visual awareness and mechanical protection. Special attention should also be paid to protecting the consumer mains at the Point of Attachment.If the service line is deemed to be in sound condition, and providing it is firstly disconnected at the Point of Common Coupling, then disconnect the connections at the Point of Attachment, remove the service from the attachment, and carefully roll up.The completely disconnected service can then be secured where practicable to the non-trafficable side of the distribution pole or private pole at a minimum height of 4.6m. If this is not practicable or introduces other hazards, then the service should be removed and stored in a secure location ensuring no physical damage to the service is sustained.Before re-energising, precautions must be taken to ensure that the service and electrical installation are in a state suitable for energisation and that all required testing (e.g. insulation resistance, polarity, neutral integrity and phase rotation) has been satisfactorily completed.What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
- Click on the below link for additional information on Essential Energy's website
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AER Price Increase 1 July 2018
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONFrom 1 July 2014, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) introduced new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services. As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), you would be aware of the current Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services charges applicable to services you provide to your customers.The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved the new regulatory charges for Essential Energy’s Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services to be implemented from 1 July 2018.You can read more about Essential Energy’s pricing for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services on our website at: Essential Energy > Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory report > Network PricingWhat do you need to do?- Review the 2018 ‘Approved’ Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services available on the Essential Energy website
- Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
- Ensure you communicate this information to your customers and employees
For further informationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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ASP Co-Design Workshop May 2018
I would like to take the opportunity to thank those ASPs for their participation and attending the workshops in May 2018.The methodology we used to deliver these workshops recognises that for us to get different results, we need to apply a different approach. While each workshop dealt with a specific issue or problem, both workshops shared objectives that focused not only on the problems we need to solve, but how we solve problems, for example:- Embedding a new, collaborative approach to problem solving, recognising that the best solution is one that considers and reconciles the needs of everyone in the process – particularly the end customer
- Prioritising progress over perfection – incremental improvement
- Strengthening our relationship by getting to know each other and putting faces to names
We have collected a lot of useful insights and ideas from the workshops that will feed into our next phase of work. Located on Essential Energy’s Document Library the ASP Co Design Workshops Playback document provides an overview of the workshops and a summary of the outputs.To keep the document as concise as possible we have not played back every piece of feedback, however all feedback has been captured.What have we done since?Since the workshops we have ran internal sessions to take two ideas from the Co-Design workshops and progress them into a working prototype that can be tested and deployed.- Design Certification - Application Form
- Improving the clarity and usability of the form
- Assurance – Inspections Matrix
- Creating a simple, clear and risk-based methodology for inspecting works
These prototypes are in development with the intention to test and deploy these as soon as possible.Next StepsWe are out for tender for a partner to help us manage the prioritisation plan of attack, this will slow the process for a short period however we are still working on things that have been identified.We have a long list of issues that we need to work through over the coming weeks, months and years, this will be a significant change program for the Commercial Services Branch. In addition to short term “Quick Win” changes, we are focused on developing a detailed work plan and procuring support to help us deliver this next phase effectively.I will keep you informed on progress and opportunities to be involved as we firm up the plan, this will take some time. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.RegardsDavid WilsonNetwork ASP ManagerT: 02 6589 8190 -
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Warehouse Stock Take
Essential Energy would like to advise that Wagga Wagga, Dubbo & Grafton Warehouse’s will be closed to undertake an annual stocktake during May & June. No orders or deliveries of FIRs will be completed during the closure period.While we endeavour to minimise the delay and impact to your business, Essential Energy would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.What do you need to do?1. Review the stocktake closure dates- Wagga Wagga warehouse will be closed between 28 May 2018 and 31 May 2018, normal orders will resume on 1 June 2018
- Dubbo warehouse will be closed between 5 June 2018 and 11 June 2018, normal orders will resume on 12 June 2018
- Grafton warehouse will be closed between 18 June 2018 and 22 June 2018, normal orders will resume on 12 June 2018
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisationFor further informationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au -
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Important changes to the description of Inspection of Service Work (Level 2) on Essential Energy invoices.
To more accurately describe the fee Essential Energy applies for each Notice of Service Work (NOSW) we receive, we’ve made the following changes:
From To Inspect Serv Wk (Lv 2) A Grade Inspect Fee A Grade - Per NOSW Inspect Serv Wk (Lv 2) B Grade Inspect Fee B Grade - Per NOSW Inspect Serv Wk (Lv 2) C Grade Inspect Fee C Grade - Per NOSW There is no change to fee amounts – they remain as per the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services located on our website at: Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory Reporting > Network Pricing.
Please note that we undertake Inspection of Service Work (Level 2) and apply fees in accordance with the Scheme Rules (see below).
Grade Number of Inspections A Grade 1 in 25 B Grade 1 in 5 C Grade 1 in 1 Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Marchment Hill (MHC) ASP Survey Results
I’d like to share with you all the results of the ASP Survey Essential Energy conducted a few weeks ago – located on the Essential Energy's Document Library.
Thank you to all those who contributed their time to share your feedback and ideas.
This survey (and other diagnostic analysis performed by Marchment Hill) has further highlighted the many areas for improvement in how we work together with you, our ASP partners. We recognise that we have lots to do to say Essential Energy is “easy to do business with” – we will be taking action.
We are now developing these actions. Some of these will involve sessions with our ASP partners so you can help us design our future way of working. I look forward to sharing more information about these
sessions with you in the coming weeks. If you would like to speak to me about this report, our next steps or any other matters please contact me via email or phone listed below.Regards
David Wilson
Network ASP Manager
T: 02 6589 8190
E: david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au
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Return of Excess Essential Energy Meter Stock
Essential Energy would like to advise, that Level 2 ASPs cannot install any Essential Energy meters after the 30 March 2018 and any excess meters that will not be used are to be returned to your nearest warehouse. Essential Energy will only accepted excess meter stock up until 18 May 2018.
Depot location for return of excess meter stock:
- Grafton Warehouse - 187 Lawrence Road, Grafton NSW 2460
- Dubbo Warehouse - 23 Hawthorn Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
- Wagga Warehouse - 59 Hammond Ave, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
What do you need to do?
- Review your current stock and return any excess meters to your nearest warehouse
- Log into the 'Portal' and fill in the 'Advise Return of Metering Equipment' (For advising return of new meters only). Print the form and place with meters
- Once the meters have been received and our warehouse has processed your form/s a credit will be issued to you
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further Information
For further enquiries, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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SAFETY BRIEF 781 - Securing Customer Installations
Background
A Customer restored supply to their premises prior to an Essential Energy crew returning to complete part ‘B’ neutral integrity and polarity testing and restore supply following a low voltage reconductor. This resulted in the installation being energised by a customer with the neutral tail disconnected.
What do I need to do?
- Review Safety Brief 781-Securing Customer Installations located on the Essential Energy 'Document Library'
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further information
For further enquiries please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
Page last updated: 17 Apr 2024, 03:36 PM
