About Essential Energy
Essential Energy has more line than any other network in the national market: about 193,000 kilometres, almost all of it overhead, to reach around 957,000 customers. That works out to about five customers per kilometre of line, compared with more than 40 in Ausgrid's area.
Long rural lines are more exposed to storms, bushfires, wildlife and falling trees, and repairs take longer when crews have to travel. They also cost more to maintain per customer, which is why regional NSW pays the highest network charges in the state.
Unlike Ausgrid and Endeavour, Essential Energy was not leased to private investors and remains owned by the NSW Government.
Owner: Owned by the NSW Government.
Essential in numbers
| Customers | 956,776 |
|---|---|
| Residential customers | 792,204 |
| Line length | 193,437 km |
| Overhead | 182,708 km |
| Underground | 10,729 km (6%) |
| Customers per km of line | 4.9 |
| Regulatory asset base | $10.4 billion |
| Homes on cost-reflective network tariffs | 41.1% (2024) |
| Regulatory period | 2024-29 |
Across all networks the AER regulates, the average is 14.5 customers per kilometre of line and 37.4% of homes on cost-reflective tariffs. Fewer customers per kilometre generally means higher costs per customer and longer outages. See network reliability.
Essential power outages and faults
Essential Energy
Supply interruptions and emergencies, 24/7
Check Essential's current outages first. If your outage is not listed, report it by phone or online. If only your home is affected, check your switchboard: see power out in your house.
For planned work, Essential must give you at least four business days' notice under the National Energy Retail Rules, and written notice if you are registered for life support. See planned outages.
Fallen powerlines
Treat any fallen line as live. Stay well back, call 000 if anyone is in danger, then call Essential. See fallen powerline safety.
More on outages in New South Wales: power outages in New South Wales and compensation for long outages.
What Essential means for your bill
Network charges are built into your retailer's usage rate and daily supply charge. The AER found network charges were up to 46% of a residential bill in 2024. On the Default Market Offer for the Essential area in 2026-27, the price is 35.01c per kWh and $2.72 a day, about $2,394 a year at 4,000 kWh.
Retailers compete in this network. As at 14 October 2026, the cheapest generally available flat-rate plan was Sumo's Sumo Winter Saver, at about $1,874 a year for 4,000 kWh. See the full ranking.
How network prices are decided: AER determinations and network charges explained.
Places on the Essential network
City guides with local bills, solar output and installation numbers: Bathurst, Queanbeyan, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Broken Hill.
Connecting solar on the Essential network
Essential approves every new solar connection and sets the export limit for your address. Your installer applies on your behalf. Read about export limits, export charges and the emergency backstop before you buy.
Questions about Essential
13 20 80 (supply interruptions and emergencies, 24/7). Call 000 first if anyone is in danger.
No. Essential Energy owns and runs the network. Your retailer sends the bill and sets your plan, and pays Essential to deliver the power. Call Essential about outages and faults, and your retailer about bills.
Owned by the NSW Government.
About 956,776, of which 792,204 are homes, according to the AER as at 30 June 2024.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.