Share your feedback on the Energy Security Safeguard
Have your say on proposed changes to the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme.
We are considering policy reforms and Rule changes to:
- address issues and opportunities identified in the 2025 statutory reviews of the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme
- introduce new activities to the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme
- increase access to energy upgrades for a wider range of consumers
- adapt to market changes, with new and emerging technologies.
Two consultations are now open for the proposed Rule changes and policy reforms, respectively. Submissions close on Friday 20 February 2026 at 5:00 pm (AEDT).
Webinar registrations are now open for each of these two consultations, where you can learn about the consultations and ask questions.
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.
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.
- Position paper, January 2023 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Rule, January 2023 (PDF, 2.1 MB)
- Non-routine events and adjustments (NRE-A) requirements, January 2023 (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- Sample study on NRE-A requirements, January 2023 (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Consultation paper, October 2022 (PDF, 1 MB)
- Public submissions, January 2023 (ZIP, 2.6 MB)