You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy’s November ASP engagement forums will be held via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:
- Safety
- Standards – Updates to the overhead and underground manuals, as well as Construction News and transitioning to composite poles
- Contestable Design – CEOM7001 Construction Plan Requirements, New Earthing Guide and tips for Neara
- Improvements to surveyor’s advice
- Updates to our easement policies
- Essential Connections –the platform, upcoming construction and commissioning roll out, next steps for CEOP2015 Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works (Guidelines) and process changes.
We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions, make suggestions and raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Dates and Times
A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting link once you have registered.
What do you need to do?
- Select the session time above that suits you and reserve your spot.
- 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 recognises the importance of incorporating management strategies crucial to mitigating the risk and impact of bush fire on the community and ensures that the effects of its work activities on bushfires are minimised and comply with the relevant legislation.
In response to past bush fire events which resulted in a devastating loss of life and property, the NSW Government introduced legislative changes to ensure bushfire matters are considered in the development and maintenance processes within our industry. At present, all new development on bush fire prone land must comply with Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019 which sets out the basis for all bushfire planning and bushfire protection measures.
The spring 2023 bushfire outlook issued by the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) emphasises the need for immediate community and business preparedness. Australia's climate has changed since last spring, with a transition to higher temperatures and lower rainfall predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology. This shift follows years of above average rainfall during La Nina seasons.
Be Prepared
Each of us should have a bushfire survival plan in place and be ready, even if the time never comes. Download the Hazards Near Me app and be notified when fires occur within your area.
There may be a requirement for Essential Energy to review and possibly suspend requested outages in certain situations if bushfires hazards are severe.
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 have received feedback on the challenges being faced when a job requires surveyor's advice. As a result, we have undertaken working groups with ASPs and Surveyors and shared the first steps on 9 October 2023. To recap we have updated the CEOF2579 - Surveyor’s Advice, surveyors now have the option to provide a stamped asset location survey plan instead of a letter.
To further assist we would like to suggest that you consider the following to help you commence construction within the desired timeframe:
- Customer or ASP engages the Surveyor early in the project.
- Surveyor pegs out the boundaries and asset locations for the constructor.
- Construction works are completed within the pegged boundaries.
- When practicable for underground assets, the trench is left open until the Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) can visually sight the cable/conduits and confirm the assets are being constructed within the pegged boundaries/easement at mid-construct (where applicable.
- Arrange for the Surveyor to attend site (prior to backfilling) to sight and confirm location of installed assets.
- Provide detailed photos that clearly show peg locations relative to the trench or cable installation – use a measuring device to provide scale in the photo.
As a reminder, it is a requirement of CEOP2015 - Contestable Works Guidelines that asset locations are confirmed by survey to be located within an easement area, or within the road reserve and Essential Energy’s asset allocation. It is very important that the assets are installed as per the certified design so as to avoid safety issues or legal disputes in the future. To ensure a safe, reliable distribution network, our assets need to be protected.
If you are unable to engage a surveyor for a specific job, please speak to your local Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) to discuss exceptional circumstances, this will be escalated and considered on a case-by-case basis.
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?
To minimise the disruption to customers during the Christmas / New Year period, no planned interruptions with a customer impact will be scheduled from 18 December 2023 to the 1 January 2024 and will resume on 2 January 2024.
We will have limited resources to undertake Contestable Works during the same period with business resuming as normal from 2 January 2024. Essential Connections will still be available for submissions; however, limited resources will be available to process requests.
What do you need to do?
- Review your planned interruption schedule for the dates above and work with your nominated Local Depot Switching Resource to reschedule where required.
- 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 has listened to feedback from ASPs and EC and has created a Submit button for applications with a ‘Draft’ status.
You can now resume, complete, and submit draft applications by clicking on the new Submit button.
If you continue to experience any issues, please contact aspinfo@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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
The Surveyors Advice letter (CEOF2579) has been updated to align with the feedback from the ASP Focus Group and the Surveyors Consultation Group.
The Surveyor now has the option to provide a copy of this letter on their letterhead or alternatively provide a stamped Asset Location Survey plan.
The Asset Location Survey Plan is a survey/plan with red lines marked on it by the surveyor, showing where the electricity assets have been installed.
Thank you to those who provided feedback and potential solutions on this matter. Essential Energy is committed to working with you to improve our processes.
What do you need to do?
- Download the latest copy of Surveyors Advice Letter (CEOF2579) from the Document Library
- 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 the 5 September 2023 Essential Energy communicated that we would be transitioning from physical identification cards to a fully Digital ID solution.
We are now communicating to you to announce the solution will be implemented and going live on the 4 October 2023 from 10am.
The Digital ID solution will enable individuals to authenticate their identity online without the time and effort required to physically collect, handle, and store important documents. Once verified, this will allow Essential Energy to issue individual Digital ID’s more efficiently and securely.
The solution is a 3-part application:
- IdentityONE – solution for issuing digital IDs.
- CaptureME – integrates with IdentityONE where users will upload their photo id and verification documents.
- IDmobile – installed on your smartphone, providing a digital version of your traditional card.
What to except
- From 4 October 2023, Essential Energy will issue individuals with a One Time Password and instructions to self-enrol in in the Digital ID using CaptureMe. The email will be sent from: idmodle.support@uniocard.com.au. As of Monday 9th October they will start coming from captureme@essentialenergy.com.au.
- On receipt, individuals are to follow the instructions on how to upload individual identification and photo and submit the request.
- Essential Energy will action the request and issue an email with instructions on how to install IDmobile App and the Digital ID.
- Individuals will need to download ID mobile app onto their device and access their digital credentials.
- Once you have your Digital ID, existing physical cards are to be returned to Essential Energy Security, PO Box 5730, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 for secure destruction.
We understand that transitioning to the new system will require adjustments and we appreciate your support and cooperation during this process. We believe the new solution will significantly enhance Essential Energy’s ability to manage authorisation when working on or near Essential Energy's network.
Privacy
- Essential Energy is mandated to meet strict compliance requirements to protect users’ privacy and security, and control against fraud.
- All information and data collected by Essential Energy is classified as ‘Protected Data’. All protected data will be stored on IT infrastructure that is physically located in Australia. The data is only accessible from within Australia, by authorised personnel, and will not be exported outside Australia. The Digital ID solution meets Australian legislation requirements for data storage and Essential Energy own the IdentityONE Server. Users' personal information is not held by identityONE.
- Once verified, all identity documents are disposed of securely by Essential Energy and in accordance with Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.
- For more information, refer to the Essential Energy Privacy Policy.
What do you need to do?
- Expect an email from idmodle.support@uniocard.com.au. As of Monday 9 October they will start coming from captureme@essentialenergy.com.au.
- A ‘How to guide’, Digital Identification User Guide is available to assist you with transitioning to the new way of doing business.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
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.
A new process has been put together to use the CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form (Return Stock Section) to allow you to return soft labels via the Portal for projects that have an ECN/ST number.
Please follow the below procedure:
- Create Asset Label Case as per normal procedure.
- Select Return Label Option and enter quantity of labels to be returned.
- Complete Return to Stock section of CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form.
- Attach CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form to the Asset Label case.
- Submit the request. Asset Label case will be assigned to the Asset Label Queue and completed via the normal process.
Older projects that do not have a current ECN/ST number and require soft asset labels to be returned will need to follow the below procedure:
- Complete Return to Stock section of CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form.
- Submit CEOF6708 Asset Label Request Form via email to contestableworks@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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
At Essential Energy, we look after the poles and wires that deliver electricity to 95 per cent of New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland. The electricity we deliver powers essential services such as hospitals and schools as well as the homes, businesses and services that form your community.
It is no surprise that in today’s environment, security is one of the major challenges faced by every organisation and community. At Essential Energy, we are enhancing our personnel, cyber and physical security by transitioning to Digital IDs.
The transition from physical identification and authorisation cards to a fully Digital ID solution is similar to the way NSW Government digital driver licences are issued.
Essential Energy Digital ID will enable an individual to authenticate their identity online without the time and effort required in physically collecting, handling, and storing your important documents. Once verified, this will allow Essential Energy to issue an individual a Digital ID and network authorisation more efficiently and securely.
Digital ID’s will provide positive benefits including:
- Simplify the way ‘Authorised Service Providers’ cards are issued by creating a unique and secure Digital ID credential that is downloaded to your mobile device.
- Digital IDs which can be used in real world environments wherever physical IDs are required, ensuring information is stored in a secure environment instead of on a physical card.
- Updates in real time. Individuals will not need to wait for a physical authorisation card to be issued - either at the initial application, to replace a lost card, or when there is a change in your details. This will make the process simpler, safer, and more secure.
- Digital ID will work and can be viewed even when there is no phone data coverage available.
- As opposed to a physical card, you can manage the security and access to your Digital ID by changing your PIN or password and enabling Face ID if your smart device has this feature.
What do you need to know?
Effective 30 September 2023, the process for individuals who require a ‘Authorised Service Providers card’ will be modified to enhance security and streamline processes.
The solution is compatible with all smartphone devices (iPhone, Android and HHU devices). Essential Energy is mandated to meet strict compliance requirements to protect users’ privacy and security, and control against fraud. For more information, refer to the Essential Energy Privacy Policy.
The solution is a 3 part application:
- IdentityONE – solution for issuing digital IDs.
- CaptureME – integrates with IdentityONE where users will upload their photo id and verification documents.
- IDmobile – installed on your smartphone, providing a digital version of your traditional card.
Individuals will need to supply their personal email address, mobile number, and upload their proof of ID information (identification photo and verification document) via the online application CaptureME.
Next Steps:
Essential Energy will provide more information including training materials, FAQs, and user guides closer to go live date.
We kindly request you notify your contractors, employees and individuals contracted to do work on behalf of Essential Energy of this upcoming change.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring a reliable network for our customers and local communities.
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.
Notice of Arrangement (NoA) – August 2023
A Notice of Arrangement (NoA) confirms that a subdivision has adequate electrical infrastructure to:
- Supply electricity to every lot; and
- Provide public lighting (if applicable)
The process for applying for a NoA differs depending on whether your development is part of a contestable works project (i.e., has been given a standard connection offer and requires a Level 1 ASP to upgrade or extend the local network) or not. We are still transitioning across previous processes and systems so please review the options below and follow instructions for your scenario.
Regardless of the process for applying, several documents will be required to support your NoA request – please ensure these documents are included with your application to avoid any additional processing fees and delays:
- A copy of the final surveyors plans that will be submitted to the Land Registry Services (LRS) for registration of the subdivision. Please ensure it includes the surveyor’s reference number.
- A copy of the Council Notice of Determination
- A detailed drawing showing the point of attachment to Essential Energy’s network, service mains location, and the location of the metering / Master Switchboard (MSB) on the lot (mandatory for all new Strata and Community title developments, and Torrens title developments where there is an existing service main and MSB currently installed); and
- Copy of easement documents executed by Essential Energy (if applicable)
Please note: If your project is part of a contestable works project you will not be able to submit a NoA request until:
- The Certificate of Practical Completion has been issued to the Level 1 ASP (this is issued after construction has been completed, inspections undertaken, and all defects rectified); and
-
If easements are required, all easement cases relating to the project are in a status of ‘Issued’ or ‘Completed’.
Easements - If you have an easement case in Essential Connections, you must reference your Easement Case number in your NOA Application.
Scenario |
What to do |
|
I am applying for a NoA where the development is part of a contestable works project and was processed via the contestable works email system.
My Project number is a six-digit number – eg 123987.
For example: The design phase of my project was not completed in Essential Connections.
|
Please submit a CEOF6016a form via contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au
Please Ensure the Subject line of the email contains the Words “NOA Application for Project xxxxxx” where the six-digit project number is included.
Please provide details about your project and all the relevant details in the latest CEOF6016a form downloaded from the document library. Attach the correct documents in the email.
Our Support team will process the application and if details are missing you will be asked to resubmit more information.
If the project is complete and we have all the correct information we will issue the NoA.
|
|
I am applying for an NoA where there was upgrade or new network assets constructed.
AND
I have an ECN (Essential Connections Number) for the project
AND
I have a Connection Application Case number or Construction Case number.
AND
You are a registered user of the Essential Connections Portal
|
You have 2 options:
Submit via the 'Manage My Standard Connection Projects' menu item on the homepage and then selecting the ‘Request Notice of Arrangement’ icon– note, you will need your ECN number and the Application or Construction (case) number as part of this process.
Your Level 1 ASP can request a NoA by clicking on the ‘Request Notice of Arrangement’ button within their construction case on the Essential Connections Portal.
|
I am applying for a NoA where the project number starts with ‘ST’ and I don’t know what the ECN (Essential Connection Number) is. |
Step 1: Email contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au and request your ECN and Connection Application case number related to the ST project.
Please ensure the Subject line of the email contains the Words “Request for ECN and case numbers for STxxxxxxx”
Step 2: Submit via the 'Manage My Standard Connection Projects' menu item on the homepage and then selecting the ‘Request Notice of Arrangement’ icon.
Enter your ECN number and the Application or Construction (case) number to commence the process.
|
|
I have a NoA request where the network does not need to be upgraded to meet the power needs of your subdivision.
That is: no network change/addition is required - your NoA relates to a subdivision for residential or commercial where power is already available.
|
You will need to submit a Connection Application: with the subcategory – “Subdivision – Residential and Commercial” via the Essential Connections portal making sure you select ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Requesting Notice of Arrangement’.
Following submission of your application we will assess your request and provide a NoA if we are satisfied that your request qualifies.
If we require further information from you as part of our assessment, we will advise you of what is required to progress.
If your request doesn’t satisfy our NoA requirements, we will issue you with a Standard Connection Offer and you will need to engage the services of a Level 3 ASP as your next step will be to design the augmentation of our network.
|
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.
Neara General Information
Using Neara - Session 1 for ASPs - Introduction and Navigation (1). (5.52 MB) (pdf)