What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

If you have login or authentication issues with Essential Connections or Youreka, open the application in a separate private or incognito browser window. This helps avoid browser session conflicts, which are the most common cause of these issues.

Example below on how to open a private/incognito in browser:

What do you need to do?

1. Open the portal using an InPrivate or Incognito browser window.
2. Access the portal using the direct link rather than a saved bookmark.
3. If prompted to select an account, choose Use another account and sign in with the email address registered for Essential Energy access.
4. If multiple Microsoft accounts are signed in, sign out of all accounts and try again, or use a different browser.
5. If you're connected to a VPN, disconnect it and then retry accessing the portal.
6. For further information refer to the frequently asked questions available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
7. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

From 3 August 2026, Adele Finch will be leading our Accredited Service Provider team as the ASP Connections Manager and will be your point of contact. Adele can be contacted via email adele.finch@essentialenergy.com.au.

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.

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) system from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator. You can now log in to Essential Connections and Youreka.

Accredited Service Providers or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider or Electrical Contractor and require access, please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change impacts how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Energy systems, including Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device (if not already installed) and follow the setup instructions provided in the email sent from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au – or click here for instructions on the Essential Connections Support Page.
2. To prevent login conflicts and session errors when using two-factor authentication across multiple systems, always open Essential Connections and Youreka in separate, isolated browsing sessions like private or incognito windows.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

As communicated on 16 July 2026 Essential Energy is updating its two-factor authentication (2FA) system, transitioning from Okta to Microsoft Authenticator.

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.

Accredited Service Providers and/or Electrical Contractors will have received an email from techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au inviting you to set up your account, please follow the instructions. If you have not received an email inviting you to set up and are an Accredited Service Provider and/or Electrical Contractor and require access please contact techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.

This change will impact how you securely verify your identity when accessing Essential Connections and Youreka.

What do you need to do?

1. Do not try to sign into Essential Connections and Youreka during period the systems are unavailable.
2. Look out for the communication advising the systems are available again.
3. Be ready to use Microsoft Authenticator when you next sign-in.
4. The instructions are available on the Essential Connections Support Page.
5. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Energy has updated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) form CEOF1070.02 Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet, which is available in the Document Library. From 3 August 2026 all designs submission (including re-submissions) by Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) must include the updated EIA form.

The key change to CEOF1070.02 Review of Environmental Factors Worksheet is the replacement of Table 4 and the scoring system with an escalating level approach linked to the potential environmental impact. This change will drive consistency and reduce confusion around the scoring system.

The process now involves selecting a level that corresponds to a pre-determined assessment. For each environmental aspect, the ‘Select Level’ field must be completed. The third column from the left indicates the level, while the fourth column outlines the corresponding criteria.

In the example below, the level selected should align with the description in the criteria column. Level 3 is reserved for situations where the criteria for Level 1 or Level 2 cannot be met and will generally require additional information to be provided.

The final column, located beside the level selection field, allows you to enter any specific mitigation measures or controls required to manage the impacts associated with that environmental aspect.

• Step 1 - Compare the potential impacts of your activity against the level criteria to determine the most appropriate classification.
• Step 2 - Using the ‘Select Level’ function, choose the level that best corresponds to your potential impacts (for example, Level 2).
• Step 3 - Enter any site-specific mitigation measures or control measures in the final column.

The updated form is an interim step that aligns with the new escalating level approach which will be available in a digital solution to be rolled out to ASPs later this year.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Review updated Environmental Impact Assessment forms on the Document Library.
3. From 3 August 2026 all design submissions (including re-submission) must include the updated EIA form.

Further Information

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

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.

What is happening?

Essential Energy is committed to the safety of everyone who works on or near our network. This includes investigating any instances of unsafe work or activities where required.

In line with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) approved Ancillary Network Services (ANS) fees and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines, Essential Energy will commence charging Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) for certain investigation activities.

Where an investigation is expected to incur a fee, Essential Energy will notify the ASP in advance before any charges are applied.

What does this mean for you?

• Fees will only apply to investigations where costs are recoverable under the ANS fee schedule.
• You will be advised prior to any charges being incurred.
• Investigations will continue to be conducted in a fair and transparent manner

The majority of ASPs who work on or near our network are committed to safe work practices and are unlikely to be impacted by the introduction of these cost recoverable charges.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. Ensure your teams continue to follow safe work practices.
3. Familiarise yourself with the Ancillary Network Services fees schedule and CEOP2015 Contestable Works Guidelines (Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works).

Further Information

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

What is happening?

Essential Energy has undertaken a comprehensive review of CEOM7001 – Network Services: Design Construction Drawings which is expected to be released for stakeholder comment in July 2026. Stakeholder feedback will be incorporated into the final version prior to release.

As CEOM7001 – Network Services: Design Construction Drawings underpins much of the CEOF6922 Certification Audit Tool, official scoring will commence once the final version has been published. The Certification Audit Tool is available on the Essential Connections Support page to assist Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) in reviewing designs prior to submission, providing sufficient time for ASPs to incorporate the revised drawing requirements into their day to day drafting practices.

During this interim period, the CEOF6922 Certification Audit Tool will continue to be used to assess submitted projects in its current format. However, no scores or tier adjustments will be issued. Assessment results will instead be used to calibrate and validate the future scoring framework against the revised requirements of CEOM7001 – Network Services: Design Construction Drawings. All Level 3 ASPs will remain at the Silver Tier.

To support implementation, we have also developed a roadmap outlining the indicative timeframes for the framework rollout which can be found on the Essential Connections Support page.

What do you need to do?

1. Download the latest version of the CEOF6922 Certification Audit Tool from our Essential Connections Support page.
2. Begin integrating the tool into your design review and quality assurance processes.
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?

We're offering a dedicated Level 3 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) opt-in ‘Ask Us Anything’ session. If you have questions, we’re here to provide answers - whether they're about Essential Connections or anything related to Contestable Works undertaken by Level 3 ASPs. You’re welcome to join at any time during the hour to ask your questions, and you can stay for as long as you need.

The session is on Wednesday 15 July 2026 from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm click here to register.

What do you need to do?

1. Ensure you are registered to attend the Level 3 ASP opt-in ask us anything session.
2. 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 CN26-08 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.