You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
Essential Energy has brought forward when you can request protection settings and switchboard review for a standard connection project. Starting today you can commence the switchboard review process after the Design Information Pack has been issued, and a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider or Electrical Contractor has submitted an Intent to Connect for the related connection project. This will allow you to request protection settings followed by a switchboard review in parallel with the Level 3 design work.
The following disclaimer has been added to the Essential Connection Intent to Connect process to ensure you understand the additional risk for requesting this earlier.
If design requirements for connection project works change between the date of this [submission / response] and the scheduled energisation, it is the responsibility of the Connection applicant or their representative to assess if new Protection Settings and Switchboard Compliance Review are needed. These requests must be initiated well before the planned energisation date to avoid delays or cancellation. Essential Energy will not be liable for any time or financial loss due to changes in the customer’s design requirements.
Thank you to the Accredited Service Providers and customers who provided feedback on the challenges being faced with switchboard lead times with hope this change assists your projects.
What do you need to do?
- Continue to submit your requests through the Essential Connection 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?
A new Design Check workspace in Neara allows designers to access two reports that help ensure asset status identification and label assignment:
- The Unspecified Status Check: identifies any assets in a design where a status needs to be specified
- The Asset Label Check: identifies any assets in a design where an asset label needs to be specified.
Where can I learn more about these new features?
You can find more details, including a user guide and short video, on Essential Engagement under the Digital Asset Management section. Look under the “What’s New?” heading.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Review the updated support material on Essential Engagement under the Digital Asset Management section
Further Information
If you need further information, please email the Digital Asset Management team at dam@essentialenergy.com.au
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy has reviewed and updated the Construction Schedule template (spreadsheet, version 1.4.12), the updates include:
- Separate tabs for underground cable and conduit schedules to align with CEOM7001 requirements
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A macro has been added to the underground cable and conduits tabs to automatically total the route lengths for different types of cables listed. Note: ASPs can manually override any totals in the table if required. The totals will appear as line at the bottom of the table.
- Users can ‘export to plan format’ macro as normal to format them on the ‘plan output’ worksheet.
- CEOMs have been added and updated for recent construction manual additions e.g. new Pillar drawings.
What do you need to do?
- Please download the latest version and start using it.
- Remember that very project needs to include this excel spreadsheet with the design submission.
- 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?
Our new one-stop Technical Support Hub is providing our Accredited Service Providers, Electrical Contractors, solar installers and connections customers with self-service and supported-service options tailored to your specific requirements.
A dedicated team of technical specialists and subject matter experts are available to offer real time advice and help resolve enquiries at first point of contact, helping drive timely and consistent outcomes for you and your customers.
To easily identify the first point of contact who can best assist with your Essential Connections Portal enquiries:
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 techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
A tragic incident occurred in Randwick on 22 May 2025 involving an Ausgrid employee who sadly lost their life after coming into contact with energised low voltage (LV) conductors.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the employee’s family, friends, colleagues, and our industry partners at Ausgrid. They remain in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.
What do you need to do?
- Review the Safety Briefing, 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.
Flood Recovery
The recent floods on the Mid North Coast and other areas of NSW have caused catastrophic property damage for our customers. Essential Energy is committed to supporting Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Electrical contractors safely reconnect properties after thorough testing has been completed.
Safety
At all times consider the safety of yourself, customers, and Essential Energy team members when testing and reconnecting customers.
Ensure the following:
- Follow your own safety management systems and safe work methods.
- Ensure you have isolated all incoming supplies (including solar and batteries), even if the network is deenergised.
- Disconnect and isolate faulty circuits at the switchboard. Prevent customers reconnecting until inspected and tested safe.
- Do not leave exposed cabling, General Purpose Outlet (GPO) and light terminals after gyprock has been removed.
- A GPO mounted in the switchboard can provide electricity supply if all other circuits are isolated. Ensure that all new installations are installed to current standards and protected by a Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent protection (RCBO).
CCEW
All premises must be inspected, tested, and repaired before reconnecting. A Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) must be submitted via Essential Connections portal immediately after the premise is deemed safe to connect. When submitting the CCEW in the Essential Connection Portal, select "Natural Disaster" in the special circumstances field to help Essential Energy process it efficiently.
The premises do not have to be brought up to currents standards if only safety testing and no additional equipment is installed.
Only accredited and authorised Level 2 ASPs can reconnect disconnected premises. Electrical contractors can either contact a Level 2 ASP or Essential Energy will reconnect upon receiving a CCEW. Service Protection Devices (SPDs) with a sealed escutcheon plate are the only exception for electrical contractors.
NOSW
A Level 2 ASP must submit a NOSW via the Essential Energy Connections portal immediately after reconnecting supply to premises. When submitting the NOSW in the Essential Connection Portal, select "Natural Disaster" in the special circumstances field, this notifies Essential Energy that the premise has been reconnected and avoids our crews having to re-visit premises. Replacement of damaged services can only be completed by Essential Energy.
A Level 2 ASP authorised person can perform the below:
- Class 2A – Reconnect at the connection point only
- Class 2B – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD) and reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard.
- Class 2C – Replace the Service Protection Device (SPD), reenergise customers isolated at the switchboard and reconnect at the connection point and point of common coupling
- Class 2D – can only reenergise at the Service Protection Device (SPD) / Meter Protection Device (MPD).
INFORMATION FOR RE-ENERGISATION BY LEVEL 2 ASPS
Required Actions for appropriately authorised Level 2 ASPs when re-energising premises with flood affected meters and FIRs:
- Confirm a CCEW has been submitted, and the customer’s electrical system has been thoroughly checked, tested and is safe to be energised.
- Ensure submerged meters and load control equipment have been bypassed. Refer to the Meter Bypass Guide for instructions on bypassing meters located at Essential Energy’s website.
- After reconnection, submit a Notification of Service Work (NOSW) through Essential Connections portal. For consistency and clarity, in the ‘Comments’ field make the following note:
- For sites with meters only note ‘ALL METERS BYPASSED’
- For sites with meters and an FIR note ‘ALL METERS AND FIR BYPASSED’
Essential Energy Contacts
- Essential Energy General Enquiries – 13 23 91, option 2 for Tech Support
- Level 2 Supervisor – Mitch Lotze 0400 089 800
- Network Assurance Manager – Kevin Miller 0407 784 701
Further Information
For more information, visit Essential Energy's web site: Floods and our network. 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 Energy Connections virtual forum was held on 15 May 2025, here is a link to supporting slide deck and for the Level 3 ASPs the Authorisation Agreement Q&As.
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 wish to advise the Neara user interface will be updated on the 9 June 2025. Users can opt into using the new interface now.
Changes have been made to the pole library within Neara.
Improving interface readability and useability
All Neara users will be moved to the new user interface from 9 June 2025. Click here to see Neara’s support video.
Changes to the pole library
The updated list for multiple pole types, with specific sub-libraries for wood, concrete and steel poles and all other pole types in the Generic sub-library. When working on new designs, designers are required to select poles from the correct sub-library. Composite poles will eventually have their own sub-library but for now they will be in the “Generic” sub-library. Click here for the supporting document.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Review the updated support material on Essential Engagement under the Digital Asset Management section
Further Information
If you need further information, please contact the Digital Asset Management Team at dam@essentialenergy.com.au.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
Our new one-stop Technical Support Hub is providing our Accredited Service Providers, Electrical Contractors, solar installers and connections customers with self-service and supported-service options tailored to your specific requirements.
A dedicated team of technical specialists and subject matter experts are available to offer real time advice and help resolve enquiries at first point of contact, helping drive timely and consistent outcomes for you and your customers.
To easily identify the first point of contact who can best assist with your Essential Connections Portal enquiries:
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 techconnect@essentialenergy.com.au.
What's New?
Whats new - June 2025 (378 KB) (pdf)