The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) is driving energy efficiency upgrades in NSW by providing financial incentives to make implementation more affordable and attractive.

The ESS places an obligation on energy retailers to purchase Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs). These certificates are generated by an Accredited Certificate Providers (such as Wattly) by performing eligible activities.

It is administered and regulated in accordance with the ESS Savings Scheme Rule 2009 (or the ESS Rule) by the Independent Pricing and Regulation Tribunal of NSW (IPART).

Wattly is your trusted solution when it comes to accessing government incentives and saving money. Don’t get caught out by not understanding the rules – let Wattly worry about the logistics. Your quick and accurate solution to unlocking schemes and incentives.

Talk to us today and unlocking funding from one of the ESS schedules below:

Method	Name	Activity	Residential	Business	Wattly Accredited
Commercial Lighting (Formula)	CLF	Undertaking a lighting upgrade in commercial buildings (commercial, industrial, government, schools)	NO	YES	YES
Public lighting method	CLF	Undertaking a lighting upgrade in outdoor areas. Street lighting, council lighting, outdoor lighting	NO	YES	YES
Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification	PIAM&V	PIAM&V covers a wide range of Commercial and Industrial Upgrades. (Motors, Fans, Pumps, Conveyors, Compressors, Chillers, Refrigeration, Boilers, Gas)	NO	YES	YES
Metered Baseline Method	MBM	The MBM compares the energy consumed before and after the energy saving activity has been performed. Can be an entire site. ESCs created on a yearly basis in arrears.	NO	YES	YES
High Efficiency Appliances for Business	HEAB	HEAB is a deemed method, that looks primarily at the efficiency of the new equipment. Most useful when PIAM&V is too costly to perform.	NO	YES	YES
Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit	HEER	Low efficiency lighting to High Efficiency lighting General Lighting including downlights, reflectors lamps, standard Edison and Bayonet Bulb	YES	YES	SOON

Enquire Now

Frequently Asked Questions about NSW Energy Saving Scheme (ESS)

What is the Energy Savings Scheme or ESS?

The Energy Savings Scheme, also known as the ESS, is the NSW-based energy efficiency scheme, is designed to reduce energy consumption in NSW by providing financial incentives for NSW households and businesses. The scheme was established in 2009 under the NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995.

How does the ESS work?

With the help of the NSW Legislation, the financial incentives are easily available for businesses to invest in energy savings projects. These projects are achieved by installing, improving or replacing equipment that reduces and saves energy. Once the project has been completed, an Energy Savings Certificate (ESC) is generated by an Accredited Peron, also known as an AP, this is Wattly's core service, who then obtains and surrenders your energy savings certificate, which represents your energy savings.

What is an energy savings certificate, or ESC?

An energy savings certificate, or ESC, pronounced 'esky', is essentially a digital environmental certificate represented by an alphanumeric number. Each certificate represents 1 tonne of CO2e (converted from MWh or GJ of energy savings)

How is a ESC created?

This starts when inefficient lights are replaced with approved energy savings LED products by a licensed installer/installation company. Once done, the installer will then provide pertinent documents to Wattly based on the compliance requirements set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) NSW. Wattly will then process an audit of the requirements and if the upgrade is deemed compliant, an application for certificate registration is done. The VEECs can only be created by those who are accredited, such as Wattly. These are then sold to a liable party, such as an Energy Retailer.

Who regulates the ESS?

• NSW Government Scheme regulated to 2025 • NSW Independent Price and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) administers the scheme • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is responsible for policy development of the scheme

How does market demand work?

• The scheme places an obligation on energy retailers to purchase ESCs • Energy Retailers face penalties for failing to meet (surrender) their quota of certificates • Certificate costs are recovered from consumers (through charges on their electricity bills)

Wattly is an Accredited Certificate Provider under the ESS. Before creating ESCs, evidence must be collected in the form of photographs, declarations, receipts and other documentation depending on the nature of the upgrade. Methods for calculating energy savings are specified by the Rule, which undergoes continual refinement and development.

Wattly specialises in the ESS scheme through:

Partnering with Wattly

Wattly partners with businesses involved in energy efficiency and renewable energy installations to enable them to financial based incentives under the state and federal schemes.

Wattly partners with both energy efficiency installation companies, electricians, equipment suppliers and end businesses performing upgrade

Get in touch

For further information, or to discuss how Wattly can help you, please call us.

Alternatively, complete the form and we will be in touch with you.