Essential Energy is committed to providing a safe and reliable power supply to all customers across its footprint in regional, rural and remote NSW and parts of Southern QLD. As the transition to more renewable energy continues, it’s important we have a greater understanding of our customers’ energy usage to allow better planning for future energy services. To support this, we’re piloting Smart Energy Communities.

The Smart Energy Communities trial aims to engage electricity customers in three communities, collecting energy usage data and insights to create a deeper understanding of emerging needs and options for affordable and reliable electricity supply and services.

Pilot Communities

The trial will run for approximately two years from March 2023, and is engaging three NSW communities:  

  • Tibooburra in ‘Corner Country’, the far north-west of the state where NSW, South Australia and Queensland intersect, and the tourism gateway to the iconic Sturt National Park. Traditional lands of the Karenggapa people.
  • Ivanhoe, in the Central Darling Shire, a farming and mining town in the state’s far south-west. Traditional lands of the Ngiyampaa people.
  • Tea Gardens in the MidCoast Council area on the state’s mid-north coast, a gated community. Traditional lands of the Biripi and Worimi peoples.

Customer participation

Customers in these communities (and other relevant parties) can get involved in the Smart Energy Communities trial via our ‘Essential Engagement’ portal.