As part of the state's response to the Owen Inquiry into Electricity Supply in 2007, the NSW Government announced a new Energy Efficiency Strategy.
The purpose of the strategy is to:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption in NSW
Reduce the impact of rising energy prices on businesses and the community by lowering energy consumption
Delay the need to construct additional energy generation and distribution infrastructure in NSW, reducing costs within the state economy.
NSW Energy Savings Scheme
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Carmel Tebbutt announced the start of a landmark piece of legislation, the Electricity Supply Amendment (Energy Savings) Bill (Act) 2009 (MinMedia09061702.pdf; 32 KB) on 1 July. This scheme will cut household electricity bills by up to $50 each year and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.
The Energy Savings Scheme will require electricity retailers to pursue additional energy efficiency measures in households and businesses. The energy savings target started on 1 July 2009 at 0.4% of electricity sales in NSW and ramps up to 4% by 2014.
Over the next decade, this will help reduce future rises in household electricity bills by an average of $50 each year, create or protect up to 1,000 jobs, and stimulate our growing energy efficiency industry by up to $1 billion.
The ESS builds on the world-leading NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme (GGAS), which stimulated early demand for products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. The scheme will provide financial incentives for households and businesses to adopt a broad range of energy saving technologies and activities.
If your business provides energy savings products or services or you are thinking of undertaking energy savings projects, you are encouraged to participate in the Scheme. More information can be found on the ESS website.
If you have suggestions for new technologies or activities to include in the scheme please contact the Department of Industry and Investment on ESS@dwe.nsw.gov.au
Energy Efficiency Training Program
Training tradespeople and professionals to ensure NSW has the skilled workforce is necessary to improve business management and practice in a low carbon economy. The program addresses skills gaps to support the energy efficiency and sustainability of products, services and practices in industry, government and the community.
Low-income Household Refit Program
The $63-million low income household refit program will deliver home energy audits and free energy savings kits to 220,000 low-income families. Householders will have energy-efficient light bulbs, water-saving showerheads and low-flow tap aerators installed in their homes and receive tailored advice on other ways to save energy. It's estimated this will help cut the average annual power bill by up to 10% or $95.
Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program
This $15-million program will provide on-site advice for 6000 small and medium businesses. It will offer rebates to assist measures such as lighting upgrades and improvements to air-conditioning and refrigeration. As a result, the average small business is expected to save $7850 on power bills over 10 years.
Expansion of the Sustainability Advantage Program
An extra $20 million will allow DECCW to work with an additional 800 medium to large businesses on leading-edge waste reduction and energy and water saving measures. This will cut energy use in these businesses by at least 10%.
Energy Efficiency Community Awareness Program
$15 million has been allocated to a community awareness program which will provide practical advice on how to save energy at home and work. Visit savepower.nsw.gov.au.
Public sector energy savings
NSW Government agencies are also now required to reduce energy consumption. The NSW Government Sustainability Policy includes a target to reduce emissions from energy use in government-owned or tenanted buildings to 2000 levels by 2019-20. The NSW Government is also committed to being carbon-neutral by 2020 (with Cabinet achieving this by mid-2009).
Strategy briefing session
The NSW Government held a briefing session on the Energy Efficiency Strategy in August 2008. Presentations at the briefing are available below:
