Media Release

Essential Energy is committed to maintaining downward pressure on the network component of electricity pricing by adopting new technologies, improving the way we do business, and achieving operational efficiencies while ensuring a safe, reliable service for our customers.

The safety of our employees and the communities we serve will always be a fundamental priority as we undertake these changes to our business.

Over the next three to five years, Essential Energy will progress a series of programs and initiatives to deliver a better service at lower cost. As we drive efficiencies in our business, we will also be ensuring that we have the right sized workforce to safely operate and maintain the network across our service territory.

Following consultation with unions, employees and key stakeholders Essential Energy has committed to providing more information to its employees on proposed workforce changes and extending the consultation period for potential role reductions until 16 August 2019.

Over the period of consultation, Essential Energy will consider feedback from its employees on any alternative cost saving measures or initiatives that may be considered as part of the workforce right-sizing process. The exact locations and number of employees impacted will be determined through the consultation process and all employees affected by the changes will be fully supported through the transition.

Essential Energy is committed to working with its employees, unions and key stakeholders to achieve fair and equitable outcomes.

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FACT FILE:

• Essential Energy builds, operates and maintains one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks, servicing regional, rural and remote NSW, and parts of southern Queensland.
• Our footprint covers 95 percent of NSW, traversing 737,000 square kilometres of landmass with 183,612 km of powerline.
• The network services more than 855,000 customers with approximately 4.6 customers to each kilometre of powerline, which is almost one-tenth the customer density compared with our counterparts in NSW.
• Essential Energy’s footprint also includes 1.38 million power poles servicing, equating to 1.6 power poles per customer.