The Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) aims to deliver cost-effective energy savings for NSW households and businesses by providing financial incentives to install energy-efficient equipment and appliances.
Between 2009 and 2022, the scheme has supported projects that will deliver 48,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy savings by 2033. As of December 2022, the scheme has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 23 megatonnes. That equals the carbon emissions produced by the NSW transport sector in 2020.
Under the ESS rules, we set out approved energy saving initiatives for suppliers to create the energy savings certificates (ESC) required to meet those targets. These activities are updated regularly to ensure it is up to date and remains relevant.
Learn more about the ESS certificates.
The latest Energy Savings Scheme Rule
The latest ESS Rule was published on 24 May 2024 and commences on 19 June 2024. It includes transition arrangements to create ESCs using the previous ESS Rule.
Until 19 June 2024, the previous 2022 ESS Rule will continue to apply.
We’ve made some key changes, including:
- suspend incentives for the new refrigerated cabinet activity
- amend both refrigerated cabinet activities to reduce lifetime savings and remove incentives for 4-sided display cabinets
- align the high-efficiency pool pump activity with the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)
- update the energy savings methodology for the air conditioners for businesses activity
- create new baselines and calculations to ensure energy savings from residential and small business hot water systems better reflect real-world savings
- adjust the co-payments for residential hot water and add new co-payments for residential air conditioning and commercial hot water heaters
- make administrative improvements.
You can learn more about the changes in the:
You can also learn more about our consultation in the:
- consultation paper
- public submissions
- recording of the consultation webinar
- consultation webinar presentation slides
- EnergyConsult report on hot water energy use
Get involved
We collaborate with industry through research and public consultation. We’ll keep you informed by updating activities regularly on our website and via email.
Email us to learn more about and get involved in our research and consultation at [email protected].