Electrical Partners Alert

When installing a new switchboard or making major changes to an existing one, please refer to the following clauses in Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (QECM) Version 4:

9.6 Provision of access to meter board

The Customer shall provide safe and ready access to the meter board location, including the meters, main switch and MEN, so that meters and control equipment may be fixed, read, tested, adjusted, and removed without difficulty at any time.

9.8.1.1 Location requirements

This clause sets out the requirements for a meter board location.

9.8.1.2 Unsuitable locations

A meter board with network devices and metering equipment shall not be installed in any of the restricted locations in clause 2.10.2.5 of AS/NZS 3000 or any of the unsuitable locations in Table 52.

9.8.2 Meter board location requirements for domestic premises

A meter board shall be installed in a location compliant with clause 9.8.1.1 and the additional requirements in Table 53.

9.8.3 Meter board location requirements for non-domestic premises

A meter board shall be installed in a location compliant with clause 9.8.1.1 and the additional requirements in Table 54.

9.8.4 Meter board location requirements for community title premises

A meter board shall be installed in a location compliant with clause 9.8.1.1 and the additional requirements in Table 55 and drawing QCD09-04

If you have a query about the above clauses, you can contact our Technical Support team on our QECM query call back request form.

• QECM query call back request form

Please ensure that Low Voltage Current Transformer (LV CT) metering drawings are compliant with QECM v4 Clause 9.11.2 LV CT metering drawings:

(a) The Proponent shall have approved LV CT metering installation designs from the DNSP as per clause 4.8 prior to arranging connection of supply.

(b) The DNSP requires all LV CT metering installation designs to have prior approval as per clause 4.8 for the metering arrangement by submitting the DNSP LV CT Advice Form 21 with:
(i)switchboard layout diagrams; and
(ii)single line diagrams; and
(iii)sufficient time allocated to cater for design modifications to be carried out, if necessary, prior to switchboards being built.

(c) Early submission of drawings will assist in reducing the impacts for all parties and avoid modifications of constructed CT metering switchboards. Where information supplied to the DNSP is insufficient or has not been supplied with adequate time to cater for review and potential modifications, the DNSP cannot guarantee supply will be connected to the metering switchboard as per requirements under clause 9.11.

To ensure your connection avoids delays, please submit your Low Voltage Current Transformer (LV CT) metering drawings as early as possible and before your switchboard is built.

You can submit your LV CT metering drawings via our online submission form:

• LV CT Metering Advice Form

What’s changing?

We have updated our opening hours to contact our Electrical Contractor’s Hotline. You can now contact our team between 7:00AM – 4:30PM Monday to Friday.

These changes form part of a refined support model designed to improve efficiency and help us prioritise processing service orders for customers.

If you have a Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (QECM) query, we encourage you to use the QECM query call back request webform for all QECM queries and concerns. By doing so, you will not only help us prioritise urgent matters but also contribute to more efficient and effective customer support.

• QECM query call back request form

To contact our team on the Electrical Contractor’s Hotline, please call:

• Ergon Energy Network 1800 237 466
• Energex 1300 762 397

We are excited to be holding our upcoming 2025 Energy Academy webinars where you will have the opportunity to hear directly from Ergon Energy Network and Energex about key issues and updates that may impact your business and customers.

By attending a session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide your feedback via the online chat with our subject matter experts on:

• Dynamic Connections
• What does a Compliant Connection Application look like?
• Getting Connected: Defects and Wasted Site Visits
• Updates to Authorised Person (Electrical) process
• Accredited Service Provider Framework refresher session
• Emergency Backstop Compliance
• SMS Appointment Trial
• Meter Isolation Links

Join us online through Microsoft Teams. We have two session times for you to select from. Click the links below to register:

• 8:00am – 9:30am - Tuesday 2 December 2025
• 3:00pm – 4:30pm - Thursday 4 December 2025

For any enquiries, please contact our team at: customeradvocacy@energyq.com.au

Before you submit an application for connection of a solar PV and/or battery storage system, you can check the available capacity for a premises using our interactive map:

• Network Load & Export Capacity Map

Using this tool can help you have informed conversations with your customers about capacity and potential next steps.

If we are unable to progress your application due to reduced capacity, our team will contact you and work with you to explore alternative solutions for your application.

For further information, please visit our network websites:

• Applications that fail assessment

We have recently implemented updates to our Authorised Person approval process. Approval as an Authorised Person (Electrical) is required to:

• work on or near the point of attachment of Ergon Energy Network’s or Energex’s termination;
• remove and replace LV service fuses when required to isolate a service line to eliminate the exclusion zone around the LV service line, or to work on a customer’s consumer mains or switchboard;
• isolate a customer's LV service line at an underground pillar or service pole by removing a fuse wedge(s) from a service line, in accordance with electricity industry practices.

Technical Knowledge and Experience:

Ergon Energy Network and Energex need to ensure that all persons to be approved as Authorised Persons have an appropriate level of technical knowledge and experience to do the work. This includes the operation of plant or vehicle near to the electric lines, and demonstrated competencies in the following areas:

• Complying with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 for Working Near Overhead and Underground Electrical Lines and Electrical Safety Code of Practice for Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace 2021 (Safe System of Work)
• Identifying low voltage and high voltage electric lines (including ways of determining the voltage present)
• Distinguishing between insulated and uninsulated electric lines
• Understanding the possible causes and risks of electric lines being damaged
• Demonstrating the skills and knowledge needed to implement a safe system of work
• Demonstrating understanding of the unsafe distances and exclusion zone requirements
• Applying emergency procedures in the event of an incident.

The following recognised training courses are available through approved Registered Training Organisations (RTOS) to assist you to meet the above requirements. Please note the changes as outlined below (Online Awareness for Electrical Mechanics) in relation to these courses.

• 1656 - Introduction to Electrical Network Infrastructure for Authorised Persons (T0911) training course through Esitrain or one of our approved licence agreement holders, or
• T0838 / aXc 1009 - Working Safely On or Near Electrical Network Infrastructure in QLD (Contractors), or
• UETDREL006 - Work Safely in the Vicinity of Live Electrical Apparatus as a Non-electrical Worker and the completion of the online course T0790 / aXc 1027 - Introduction to QLD Legislation and Codes of Practice, or
• Legacy course 4490 - Working Safely Near Live Electrical Lines and Apparatus (Ergon Energy Network), or
• Legacy course M320 - Electrical Awareness for Safe Work (OHAW) (Energex).

Please note: A Training Completion Certificate is required from one of the five options above before you can submit your Authorised Person application form.

Authorised Person Approval Letter:

Our Authorised Person Approval Letter has been updated, including a temporary approval period. When you receive your letter, please take the time to read through it to familiarise yourself with any restrictions or limitations that may apply.

Key Changes:

• Temporary Approval Period: The approval timeframe has been temporarily changed from 5 years to 12 months
• Dual Network Validity: Approvals are now valid for both Ergon Energy Network and Energex
• Next Steps: Once the review is complete:
  • The updated approval period will be communicated (via the webpages and new letters that will be issued)
  • A new Authorised Person Approval Letter will be issued reflecting the revised dates, including the back dating to the original approval date.

Online Awareness:

An Online Awareness pack will be available on our network website for Electrical Mechanics to complete in lieu of the above training courses taking into account they are electrically licenced. Upon the completion of this pack, a certificate will be available to submit through the Authorised Person request form .

Authorised Person Request Form:

Our Authorised Person request form has changed to a single entry (name) per application. This is to enable us to assign a specific number to an individual Authorised Person. This in turn will allow us to process the applications in a more efficient manner and differentiate between an initial application or a renewal.

Please ensure that the Applicant Details section relates to the person who is applying to be an authorised person, not the person submitting the form.

Ergon Energy Network and Energex are currently developing Dynamic Model Standing Offers for eligible small inverter energy systems (IES) (0–30 kVA) with a proposed delivery date of mid 2026.

We are now engaging with customers to support the development of the Model Standing Offers, which will also require approval by the Australian Energy Regulator.  As part of this engagement, we will provide information on how dynamic connections operate and outline the key benefits for customers.

Please note: There will be training available for electrical contractors and solar installers on the new Dynamic Model Standing Offer through dedicated CPD courses as well as presentations at key installer roadshows starting early 2026.

This new offering is designed to provide greater flexibility and efficiency for customers connecting to the network. Customers who want to install IES (0–30 kVA) will soon have three options to choose from:

• Dynamic Model Standing Offer (new and now free!)
• Static Model Standing Offer
• Negotiated Offer

Key Benefits of the Dynamic Model Standing Offer

• No application fee
• Reduced wait times for connection offers
• Simpler process for eligible projects.

This initiative supports our ongoing commitment to improving customer experience and enabling faster integration of renewable energy solutions.

For more details, please visit our Talking Energy webpage, where you can also share your feedback.

As of Friday 10 October 2025, the Electrical Partners Portal will feature enhanced search functionality, enabling you to easily locate Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved batteries. The portal will clearly distinguish between:

• Pre-assembled Integrated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) – which includes an integrated inverter
• Pre-assembled Battery Systems (BS) – without an integrated inverter

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you have an existing battery application awaiting approval, please do not resubmit or request cancellation for the purpose of resubmission, as this creates additional work for our Solar and Renewables team. We will be engaging directly with applicants to discuss processing options and work through the backlog. Your patience during this process is greatly appreciated.

Key portal enhancements for installers

Our portal now automatically detects inverters that are part of a BESS.

Clicking ‘Add Inverter’ will automatically create the inverter record along with the associated battery.

Search for CEC approved batteries. Entering the make or model information to search for a battery. Selecting the battery will pre-fill the relevant data for your installation. We recommend searching for the battery model to reduce search results (limited to a maximum of 20).

Further benefits for Installers

• Connect applications for a basic connection using CEC approved batteries will no longer require a manual evaluation. Applications may still require evaluation for other reasons. For example: requests for negotiated connections, areas of our network that may have constraints. Always wait for the connection offer before you install a system.
• Improved customer experience by simplifying the recording of battery system details, eliminating manual data entry.
• Shorter installation lead times due to less manual review.

Following the release of the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) final distribution determination for the 2025–30 regulatory control period, Ergon Energy Network and Energex have updated our prices for customer-initiated projects.

New prices took effect from 1 July 2025. This price update supports the continued delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient network services across Queensland.

Where additional costs are incurred from this point forward, they will reflect the new inputs costs (including labour rates) approved by the AER. The prices for these services are set by the AER, allowing Ergon Energy Network and Energex to recover the efficient cost of each service from customers using that service. Importantly, any price adjustments will only be applied where necessary and in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

For further details on the AER’s final determination, please visit the AER Website.

To help ensure a smooth and timely connection process for solar and/or battery systems, it’s essential that all applications include accurate and complete customer information.

Please ensure the following details are correct at the time of submission:

• Full name or business name (as listed on the electricity account)
• ABN or ACN (if applicable)
• Customer email address
• Customer phone number

When submitting the application on behalf of the customer, it is your responsibility to obtain and provide accurate customer information.

If the customer is unsure of their information, please ask them to confirm it by checking their electricity bill, logging into their online account, or contacting their electricity retailer.

Applications with missing or incorrect information will be cancelled and will need to be resubmitted with the correct customer information.

We are pleased to see the rising installation rates of Generation Signalling Devices (GSDs) within Queensland. However, recent audit findings have highlighted the recurring issue that Demand Response Mode for Zero Production (DRM0) is not always correctly enabled in inverters during installation. As DRM0 is a core mechanism that allows emergency backstop to function effectively, if it is not correctly enabled, the system operator cannot reliably limit solar exports during network emergencies.

To ensure you have correctly enabled DRM0 on a particular inverter model, we encourage you to contact the inverter’s manufacturer directly for guidance. Manufacturers can provide clear instructions and resources to support compliance.

Ergon Energy Network and Energex are actively conducting audits on Embedded Generation systems above 30kVA. These audits are a key part of ensuring the integrity and safety of large solar installations. We have recently observed that installations certified by Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) have not passed auditing.

To support better outcomes, we have updated the Compliance Report template to include specific fields for Emergency Backstop compliance. This includes requirements for:

• GSD installation photographs
• Confirmation of settings
• Evidence of backstop performance testing

These additions are designed to make it easier for certifiers and installers to demonstrate that all necessary checks have been completed.

It’s important to remember that RPEQs certifying these systems are expected to verify compliance with all relevant aspects of STNW1174 (PDF 2.0 mb) and STNW3511 (PDF 2.1 mb) including:

• Power quality settings
• Protection settings
• Full backstop functionality

Ensuring these elements are correctly configured and documented is essential to your installation passing audit and maintaining system integrity.

You can access our latest Compliance Report templates and FAQs on our large system connections webpage.