Energy Savings Scheme

Energy Savings Scheme

Welcome to the website of the Energy Savings Scheme!

This website has been developed to provide information about the Energy Savings Scheme (ESS, the Scheme) and to provide current and relevant information for anyone interested or participating in the scheme.

The ESS is separate to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (GGAS), which has its own website www.greenhousegas.nsw.gov.au.

The ESS is a NSW-based mandatory energy efficiency scheme. The ESS works by establishing a market for tradable Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) – called “es-keys”.

The certificates are made by Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) when they undertake energy savings activities that improve energy efficiency in a variety of residential, commercial and industrial settings. 

Once created, ESCs must be obtained and surrendered by electricity retailers and other parties known as Scheme Participants, who need to meet the newly legislated Energy Efficiency Target. Only ESCs can be surrendered for compliance with the ESS.  NGACs created under GGAS can only be used for compliance under that scheme.

The Scheme is administered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) using scheme rules developed by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and the Department of Industry & Investment (formerly Department of Water and Energy).