Energex Temporary Power Connection: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Getting a temporary power pole live in Brisbane requires an accepted Energex Connection Offer, a retailer account and service orders, and an EWR from a licensed electrical contractor. Energex then connects the network, and the retailer's metering provider installs the meter and completes energisation.

This guide walks you through every step of the Energex temporary power connection process — from the Connect Application and accepted Connection Offer, through pole installation and the EWR, to Energex's network connection and the metering provider making the site live.

What Is a Temporary Power Connection?

A temporary power connection (also called a temporary builder's supply or TBS) provides metered mains electricity to a construction site before the permanent house connection is installed. It's a dedicated power pole installed on your property boundary, connected to the Energex overhead network via a service line.

A temporary mains connection supplies metered electricity for site equipment. Your electrical contractor should confirm that the supply capacity and site distribution suit the equipment you plan to use.

Most residential builds in Brisbane need a temporary power connection from day one. The slab pour, framing, and fit-out stages all require consistent power, and running a generator for months is expensive, noisy, and unreliable.

What Is an Energex EWR (and Who Lodges It)?

An EWR — short for Electrical Work Request — is the licensed electrical contractor's final notice to Energex that the electrical work is complete and the site is ready for connection. It is not the initial connection application: a Connect Application must be lodged and the Connection Offer accepted first.

Poles and Holes coordinates and lodges the EWR through our licensed electrical capability as part of your temporary power pole service. That means we handle the ready-to-connect electrical paperwork included in our agreed service, while you or your nominated contractor remains responsible for any separate customer actions.

The Connect Application and accepted Connection Offer establish the network connection arrangement. The EWR confirms the site is ready and notifies your chosen retailer. The retailer sets up the account and sends the service orders. Energex connects the network, and the retailer's appointed metering provider installs the meter and completes energisation.

Check Energex's current new-connections process for the latest official sequence and timeframes.

The Step-by-Step Connection Process

Here's exactly what happens from the moment you place your order to the moment you have live power on site.

Step 1: Order Your Temporary Power Pole

Place your order through our online form or call us on (07) 3367 2237. We'll need your site address, expected start date, and whether you need single-phase or three-phase supply. Most residential builds use single-phase. Commercial and industrial sites may need three-phase — your electrician can confirm.

Step 2: Submit the Connect Application and Accept the Connection Offer

Before the EWR stage, a Connect Application must be lodged with Energex by the customer or electrical contractor. Energex assesses the request and issues a Connection Offer. The offer must be accepted before the connection can progress; if Energex identifies chargeable network work, the charge and conditions appear in that offer.

Step 3: We Install the Pole

Our crew delivers and installs a timber power pole on your property boundary, positioned to align with the nearest Energex overhead service line. The pole is augered into the ground to the required depth (typically 1.2-1.5 metres for a standard residential pole) and secured with compacted backfill. Installation usually takes 1-2 hours.

If the pole needs to be positioned where there's existing underground services (water, sewer, gas, Telstra), we'll arrange service locating (Dial Before You Dig) before installation. This is included in our service — we won't dig without confirming it's safe.

Step 4: The Meter Board and Electrical Work Are Completed

We build and certify the temporary power pole at our depot, then install it on site. Any separate site electrical work must be completed by an appropriately licensed electrical contractor. Energex's network connection and the retailer's metering arrangements are separate steps; installing the pole does not make it live.

If you don't have an electrician lined up, we can recommend one. Many of our customers use the same electricians we work with regularly, which helps streamline the process.

Step 5: Choose Your Electricity Retailer

Choose your electricity retailer early and give its details to your electrical contractor. The EWR notifies the retailer of the connection request. The retailer then contacts you to set up the account and sends the required service orders to Energex and its nominated metering provider. Your account and the relevant service orders must be in place before connection and meter installation.

Step 6: The Licensed Electrical Contractor Lodges the EWR

Once the pole and meter-board work is complete and compliant, the licensed electrical contractor lodges the EWR as the final ready notice. Poles and Holes coordinates and lodges this through our licensed electrical capability as part of our agreed service. The EWR follows the Connect Application and accepted Connection Offer. It also notifies your retailer of the connection request; the retailer account and required service orders must then be in place before connection.

Step 7: Energex Connects the Network

Energex says it will endeavour to attend within 5 business days once all required paperwork and retailer service orders are complete and the site is ready. This is an attendance aim, not a guarantee: network alterations, appointments, access, traffic control and external impacts can extend the timing. Energex performs the network connection; the meter is a separate step.

Step 8: The Metering Provider (Meter Hanger) Installs the Meter

Your retailer's appointed metering provider installs the meter and completes energisation where applicable. This timing is separate from Energex's network attendance and depends on the retailer and metering provider. A connected service line does not by itself mean the temporary power pole is live.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

There is no single guaranteed end-to-end timeline. Energex says it will endeavour to attend within 5 business days only after all required paperwork and service orders are complete and the site is ready. The metering provider's timing is separate.

Pole installation: Usually within 1-3 business days of your order, depending on our schedule and your site readiness.

Electrical work and application readiness: Timing depends on the licensed electrical contractor's availability, site compliance, the Connect Application assessment and acceptance of the Connection Offer.

Energex network attendance: Energex aims to attend within 5 business days only after the prerequisites are satisfied, subject to network work, appointments, access, traffic control and external impacts. This does not include meter installation or energisation.

Because Connect Application assessment, offer acceptance, retailer service orders, site readiness, Energex attendance and metering are separate dependencies, start early and do not book trades against a fixed end-to-end promise.

What Does It Cost?

Costs can come from several parties, and not every site attracts the same charges:

1. Our Pole Hire (From $600+GST)

Our temporary power pole hire starts from $600+GST for a standard single-phase pole (+ delivery). That figure is the 12 week minimum hire — 84 days at the daily rate, not a booking fee — and it covers installation, the free EWR lodgement, and collection at the end of your build. Most builds run longer than 12 weeks, and hire past the minimum is billed in arrears at the same daily rate, which works out to about $50 a week excluding GST.

Three-phase poles and poles requiring traffic control (busy roads, state-controlled roads) are priced higher due to the additional equipment and logistics involved.

2. Network, Retailer and Metering Charges Vary

Energex advises that many standard new connections are free. If network work is chargeable, the amount and conditions will be set out in the Connection Offer. Retailer and metering-provider charges can also vary, so confirm them with your chosen retailer.

There is no reliable universal all-in cost. Your total can include Poles and Holes pole hire and delivery, site electrical work, any network charge in the Connection Offer, retailer or metering charges, and any required traffic control. Check our linked pricing guide for current pole-hire pricing and get site-specific quotes before budgeting.

Traffic Control: When Is It Needed?

If your temporary power pole needs to be installed on a road verge adjacent to a busy road, council or the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) may require a traffic management plan (TMP). This is common on main roads, collector streets, and state-controlled roads.

Traffic control adds cost and lead time. A basic TC setup for a quiet suburban street might add $300-600 to the job. A complex setup on a state-controlled road with TMR-approved traffic management can add $1,000-2,000+. We arrange traffic control as part of our service — you don't need to source it separately.

For most residential builds in suburban Brisbane, traffic control is not required. The pole goes on the property boundary or road verge of a quiet residential street, and no traffic management is needed.

Tips to Speed Up Your Connection

Start the process before you need power. The Energex five-business-day aim only starts after the prerequisites are complete, and metering timing is separate. Allow contingency instead of treating two weeks as a guaranteed lead time.

Line up your electrical contractor and retailer early. The Connect Application and offer must be handled, the retailer must create the account and send the service orders, and the licensed electrical contractor can lodge the EWR only when the work is complete and the site is ready.

Confirm your site is accessible. If we arrive and can't access the site (locked gates, blocked verge, demolition in progress), the install gets postponed. Make sure we have clear access to the pole location on delivery day.

Check if you need traffic control early. If your site is on a main road, let us know when ordering. TC requires advance booking with a traffic management provider, and last-minute TC arrangements can cause delays and higher costs.

New estates: check Energex network availability. In brand-new estates where the overhead network hasn't been fully built yet, Energex may not be able to connect until their infrastructure is complete. If you're building in a new estate, it's worth confirming with Energex (or asking us to check) whether temporary supply is available before ordering.

What Happens at the End of Your Build?

When your build is complete, arrange the transition to the permanent supply and the required disconnection through the relevant electrical contractor, network operator and retailer. Contact us to coordinate collection once the temporary pole can be safely removed. Collection is included in your hire cost — there's no additional charge.

Most temporary power poles stay on site for 6-12 months, depending on the build timeline. There's no maximum hire period and no penalty for a long build — past the 12 week minimum, hire simply continues at the same daily rate and is billed in arrears, so a six month build works out at around $1,300 excluding GST in pole hire.

Ready to Get Connected?

Order your temporary power pole online and we'll coordinate the pole installation, EWR lodgement through our licensed electrical capability, and the Energex hand-off. You'll still need an accepted Connection Offer and an electricity retailer account with the required service orders. Learn more about our temporary power pole hire service, or call us on (07) 3367 2237 if you have questions about your specific site.