Essential Energy

Empowering our communities to spark change and lead the way towards a sustainable future is at the heart of our new Essential Grants program. We are offering grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations within our footprint. These grants aim to support projects that focus on the environment, education, and resilience, particularly those related to the energy transition. Since 2018, Essential Energy has contributed more than $1 million to 1,560 community groups through previous programs. Our commitment continues with the Essential Grants program. Applications open 3rd February 2025. To register your interest and find out more visit: https://bit.ly/3Dvdxfi To read the full media release: https://bit.ly/4fq2OQT #Communities #Grants #EmpoweringCommunities

Exploring new technologies, building smarter networks, and evaluating energy storage solutions is both exciting and challenging. We are currently testing a range of battery solutions across our regions to maximise solar generation and exports, driving better network utilisation. Sarah Aubrey from Electrify This, like many of our customers, was eager to learn more about the when, why, and how. Our Senior Engineer for Non-Network Solutions, Peter Anderson, and Manager of Innovation, Brad Trethewey, took Sarah to one of our first 2MWh battery installations at Sovereign Hills. Not only did Sarah learn how this battery can enhance network resilience, but she also got a crash course in some fun acronyms. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3OMgf2r Learn more about our battery trials: https://bit.ly/3VKQe7Y #Electrification #FutureEnergy #PoweringTheFuture

Emerging technologies in the energy transition are paving the way for power resilience in some of our most isolated communities. Serviced by long spans of powerlines, vulnerable to climate impacts, these communities are now seeing the implementation of onsite backup power sources, a process that has been underway for over a year. In the far west, communities like Tibooburra and Ivanhoe have already had generators installed. Plans are also in place to further improve reliability with the installation of a microgrid in Tibooburra and a battery storage system in Ivanhoe. Additionally, existing solar installations in Packsaddle and Milparinka will be supported by battery storage systems by 2025. Read more about how we are combining reliability with sustainability through innovative network design for remote communities: https://bit.ly/3DhMTGO #RegionalNSW #Communities #Batteries #Solar

Climate change is causing unpredictable weather conditions across our network, impacting power supply to some of our most vulnerable customers. Approximately 60% of Life Support customers rely on energy-powered medical equipment, yet more than half do not have a backup plan, and only 7% have backup power sources. The Energy Charter #BetterTogether Life Support initiative aims to address these concerning statistics by ensuring that the resources of networks and emerging technologies are optimally utilised to provide better outcomes for these customers. Our CEO, John Cleland, participated in an Energy Charter CEO forum as part of the #BetterTogether Life Support initiative. This initiative is designed to ensure that the available resources of networks and emerging technologies are best utilised to support these customers. For more Information for Life Support Customers: https://bit.ly/3D6j6AX For more information on the #Better Together Life Support Initiative visit: https://bit.ly/3Ddeg4Y #LifeSupport #ClimateChange #RegionalNSW

As a proud WORK180 endorsed employer, we actively participate in the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) assessment to benchmark our offerings across ten key drivers that promote workplace equity. This week we ranked first in the Mining, Resources, and Energy industry for businesses with over 1,000 employees in the following categories: Flexible and remote working Paid parental leave Policies and support Join an organisation that values your voice, empowers your autonomy, recognises the strength in diversity, and prioritises your well-being while offering attractive remuneration and benefits: https://bit.ly/3TiSWAz #DEI #WorkplaceEquity #InclusiveWorkplace #ProudEmployer #Work180

We recently welcomed Sarah Aubrey from Electrify This to our Quality Assurance Lab in Port Macquarie for an up-close look at one of our pole-mounted batteries. Guided by our Senior Engineer for Non-Network Solutions, Peter Anderson, Sarah enjoyed a comprehensive tour of this innovative system, which stores excess solar power generated during the day to use later during times of peak demand when the sun has gone down. Sarah had a great time learning about the design, functionality, and safety features of the system that will be trialled in seven regional towns in coming months. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/41dw0XM #Electrification #FutureEnergy #Batteries

Collaborating with communities, regulators and organisations to make effective progress is essential to accelerating connections of renewable energy sources on the grid. At the Electric Energy Conference (EECON) held in November, we had the privilege of joining 400 industry members to discuss both the challenges and solutions. Our CEO, John Cleland spoke about the opportunities on our network with available capacity for connections and the need for rules changes for a faster and fairer energy transition. Our Senior Engineer, Dan Martin shared the innovative solutions our team is exploring to maintain balance in energy system as generation becomes more decentralised and the advancements in monitoring and automation. By identifying challenges, we can pave the way for real solutions. A big thank you to the Electric Energy Society of Australia (EESA) for hosting this event and fostering the crucial discussions. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #FutureEnergy #EECON2024

Our Customer Advocacy group is integral to our decision-making process and offers us a way to connect directly with our communities to share perspectives on a wide range of topics, such as energy transition, public safety initiatives, regulatory proposals, and disaster response strategies. We are now inviting expressions of interest (EOI) for 2025. Our members represent a diverse demographic, encompassing both residential and business customers within our service area. This year, we are especially encouraging applications from organisations representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, youth (aged 24 or under), and environmental groups. If you are passionate about regional electricity issues and want to share your feedback and insights directly with our business leaders, we would love to hear from you. Applications close at 11:00 PM on Sunday, December 22, 2024. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3ZBpyIU

We are honoured to announce that our future-focused apprenticeship program, which has trained more than 1,350 apprentices since 2001, was nationally recognised at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra on Friday, winning the category of Australian Apprenticeship Employer. This achievement highlights our innovative approach, cutting-edge training program, and higher education partnerships. The judges were particularly impressed by our female participation rates, attraction strategies, and wellbeing support, especially following emergency events. This award would not be possible without a wonderfully dedicated team that fosters our new talent, equipping them with the skills to succeed in an evolving industry. Congratulations to everyone involved. Media Release: https://bit.ly/41qzkPl Pictured: (L-R): People Learning and Capability team members Trent Rands, David Sargent, Clint Duffy, Chief People Officer Amalie Smith, CEO John Cleland, Head People Learning and Capability Lara Rich, Allan Whelan, mathew skulander and Matt Hornby #Apprentices #Careers #WorkCulture #ProfessionalDevelopment

Innovative technology that can enable Customer Energy Resources to communicate with the grid will be a gamechanger in the energy transition. We are proud to be a founding member of the groundbreaking initiative, Mercury Consortium, that is fostering collaboration across the industry globally to accelerate the uptake of clean energy solutions. The network of future needs innovative solutions that can work with existing devices to make the grid more resilient and efficient to operate, while providing better value for customer’s investments. The non-profit energy research and development organisation, EPRI has brought together an energy industry brains trust to establish guidelines and best practices as we work together to enable the energy transition on a global scale. For more on our Future Energy initiatives: https://bit.ly/3TgqKhQ #FutureEnergy #CleanEnergy #PowerTheFuture