Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) Program Overview
The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to install, improve or replace energy savings equipment and appliances in NSW households and businesses. The ESS was established in 2009 under the Electricity Supply Act 1995 (the Act).
Financial incentives are in the form of tradeable certificates, called energy savings certificates (ESCs). Generally, householders and businesses who fund energy savings activities transfer the right to create ESCs to Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) in return for a discount on the cost of the energy savings activity. The notional megawatt hours attributed to energy savings activities determines the number of ESCs that can be created.
The ESS works by allowing ACPs to create and register ESCs for energy savings that are supported with appropriate evidence. ESCs are then purchased each year by mainly electricity retailers operating in NSW to meet their share of a legislated annual energy savings target. This creates a market for certificates (ie, demand).
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) Overview:
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is a Federal Government initiative that provides discounts for those that choose to install a renewable energy system such a PV Solar System or Energy Efficient Heat Pump Hot Water System.
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, eligible small-scale renewable energy systems are entitled to a number of small-scale technology certificates.
The number of certificates that can be created per system is based on its geographical location, installation date, and the amount of electricity in megawatt hours (MWh) that isdisplaced by the solar water heater or heat pump over the course of its lifetime of up to 10 years. For more information please head to http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/
