Check it is a network outage
If your whole street is dark, it is a Essential Energy network outage. If only your home is out, check your switchboard for a tripped safety switch first.
Power outages
Essential Energy
NSW network
Power outages · New South Wales
Essential Energy power outage
Got a Essential Energy power outage? Essential Energy is the distributor that owns the network in New South Wales, so it, not your retailer, is who you call and who restores supply. This page shows how to report a Essential power outage, where to find the live outage map, what to do during a blackout, and the compensation you may be owed for a long or repeated outage.
Faults line 13 20 80
Live outage map
24/7 reporting
Outage compensation
In a blackout
How to report a Essential Energy power outage
Four steps to report a Essential outage and stay safe while you wait for power to come back on.
Check the Essential outage map
Look up the Essential Energy outage map for a known outage in your area, the cause and an estimated restoration time, updated live.
Report the outage
If it is not already listed, report it on the 24/7 faults line 13 20 80. Have your address and, if you can, your National Metering Identifier (NMI) from your bill.
Stay safe and wait
Keep clear of any fallen powerlines (at least 8 metres), keep the fridge shut, and turn off sensitive appliances at the wall until power is stable.
Essential Energy power outage map & live updates
The quickest way to check a Essential power outage today is the live outage map on the Essential Energy website. It shows current and planned outages, the suburbs affected, the likely cause and an estimated restoration time, refreshed continuously. Check there first before you call, as a known outage is already being worked on.
Open the Essential outage mapFallen powerline or danger to life? Call 000 first
If you see a fallen powerline, sparking, or anyone is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and stay at least 8 metres clear, treating every line as live. Then report the network fault to Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
Money back
Essential Energy power outage compensation
Long or repeated blackouts can entitle you to a payment, and many households never realise it.
Essential Energy pays an automatic Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) credit when your interruptions exceed the set thresholds for a financial year.
The payment lands as an automatic credit on your next bill, passed through your retailer, with no claim to lodge. Read our guide to power outage compensation for the thresholds and how to check yours.
Common questions
A Selectra expert answers your Essential Energy power outage questions
Call the Essential Energy 24/7 faults and emergencies line on 13 20 80. Have your address ready, and your National Metering Identifier (NMI) from your bill if you can. You can also report and track outages on the Essential Energy outage map at essentialenergy.com.au. If a powerline is down or anyone is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) first.
The Essential Energy power outage and faults number is 13 20 80, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the same number whether the outage is planned or unplanned.
The live Essential Energy outage map is on its website at essentialenergy.com.au. It shows current outages, the suburbs affected, the likely cause and an estimated time supply will be back on. It is the fastest way to check a Essential power outage today without waiting on the phone.
If the wider outage is fixed but your home is still dark, the fault may be on your side of the meter. Check your switchboard for a tripped main switch or safety switch and reset it once. If it trips again, or your meter box looks damaged, call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 or a licensed electrician.
Essential Energy pays an automatic Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) credit when your interruptions exceed the set thresholds for a financial year. The credit usually appears on your next bill through your retailer, with no claim needed. See our power outage compensation guide for the detail.
A planned outage is scheduled by Essential Energy for maintenance or upgrades, and you must be given advance notice (usually a letter, SMS or email a few days ahead). An unplanned outage is a fault from storms, fallen trees, equipment failure or a car hitting a pole, with no warning. Both show on the Essential outage map, but only unplanned outages need reporting.
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