Essential Energy’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is used to identify the environmental impact of our business activities, ensure compliance with environmental policies and procedures, and improve performance. The EMS applies across our operations and is certified to the international standard ISO14001.

Environmental incidents are recorded and reported in accordance with the EMS. Incident severity is categorised using an Incident Classification Rating (ICR), with category one being the highest severity and category five the lowest. Ratings reflect the overall significance of the environmental impact of the incident. This enables consistent classification of safety and environmental incidents based on Essential Energy and external regulatory requirements.

There were 436 environmental incidents during 2024–25, of which 434 were either minor in nature (category four or five), near misses or incidents where classification was not required.

Two separate incidents were classified category three due to environmental and safety concerns. The first involved a minor oil spill from a pole-mounted transformer. Although the volume was limited, the proximity to a stormwater drain presented a potential pollution risk, warranting category three classification. The spill was promptly addressed, mitigating any environmental impact.

The second incident occurred when a major storm damaged multiple power poles. One pole-top transformer failed and an adjacent pole contributed to a house fire. As the anticipated clean-up cost exceeded $10,000, the incident was deemed reportable to NSW’s Environment Protection Authority. The transformer oil spill was confined to a yard and remediated in consultation with an independent consultant, to the satisfaction of the property owner.

During the year, significant progress was made across a range of environmental initiatives and projects. A total of 32 environmental impact assessments were completed for major projects, and complex customer connections. Notable projects included zone substations at Kings Forest, Brolgan, Bomen, Moree and Geurie, as well as Kings Forest Underground Sub Transmission Line, Geurie Zone Substation Southern Powerline, and the Dubbo 132kV Feeder Replacement Project.

Engagement with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure resulted in successful progress toward statutory changes to planning instruments, to facilitate more efficient infrastructure delivery. Changes included providing a consistent and certain approval pathway for minor impact infrastructure works within certain mapped areas, streamlining the efficient delivery of critical infrastructure.