New Energy Security Safeguard Rules

New Rules under the Energy Security Safeguard are in effect from 7 September 2026. These changes affect both the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS).

Peak Demand Reduction Scheme changes

Energy Savings Scheme changes

The Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) is NSW’s largest energy-efficiency program, established in 2009 under the NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995. The Energy Savings Scheme will run until 2050, in line with NSW’s net zero goals.

We need to make regular updates to the Energy Savings Scheme Rule and Regulation to ensure they are effective, to reduce NSW’s emissions and achieve net zero by 2050.

Current Energy Savings Scheme Rule

The current Energy Savings Scheme Rule is in effect from 7 September 2026.

The Energy Savings Scheme gazetted substantive updates on 1 July 2026 including:

  • multi-split system and large air conditioner eligibility
  • commercial heat pump water heaters
  • the lifetime of liquid chilling packages
  • air conditioner activity co-payments.

Minor administrative changes to the Energy Savings Scheme are in effect from 7 September 2026 including:

  • eligibility of air conditioners under Activity Definition F4 
  • minimum customer co-payments for air conditioners.

Energy Savings Scheme Rule, August 2026 (PDF, 2.11 MB)

Position paper (July 2026)

Changes to the Energy Savings Scheme Rule

Information about changes to the Energy Savings Scheme Rule can be downloaded via the links in the table below. Information about changes made between 2009 and 2025 can be found on the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) website.

These documents are only a guide and are not intended for any official Energy Savings Scheme purposes.

2026 Rule change (commences 7 September 2026)

Before making these changes, we consulted industry for feedback. Our public consultation was open from 17 December 2025 to 20 February 2026.

2025 Rule change (commenced 12 September 2025)
2023-24 Rule change (commenced 19 June 2024)
2022 Rule change (commenced 14 April 2023)
2021a Rule change (commenced 1 August 2022)
2020-21 Rule change (commenced 28 February 2022)
2019-20 Rule change (commenced 30 March 2020)
2017-18 Rule change (commenced 20 April 2018)
2016-17 Rule change (commenced 28 April 2017)
2015-16 Rule change (commenced 15 April 2016)
2013-14 Rule change (commenced 1 June 2014)