Energy Savings Scheme

The Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) commenced on 1 July 2009. It is designed to help NSW families and businesses save money on their power bills by increasing the opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Reducing electricity use will also help shield customers from rising electricity prices and from future electricity price increases caused by the introduction of the proposed national Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). The ESS establishes legislated annual energy savings targets that must be met through the creation and surrender of Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs).

Electricity retailers and certain other parties such as electricity generators who supply direct to a customer and market customers who buy or sell electricity in NSW, and who will be required to obtain and surrender ESCs, are known as Scheme Participants. Scheme Participants are required to meet individual energy savings targets based on the size of their share of the electricity market. However, some large electricity users, known as Trade-Exposed Emissions Intensive industries will be exempt from the Scheme. If Scheme Participants fail to meet their targets, then a penalty is assigned.

Companies who become Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) can create ESCs by carrying out Recognised Energy Savings Activities as defined in the Energy Savings Scheme Rule of 2009. These activities include the replacement and installation of common electrical appliances, high efficiency lighting and other energy saving devices, the NABERS rating of buildings, changes in industrial processes and changes in electricity consumption measured against an established baseline among other things.

Full details of the Scheme, including application forms, application guides and other documents are available from the scheme website at www.ess.nsw.gov.au

Details of accredited certificate providers and the certificates they have registered are available at www.ggas-registry.nsw.gov.au