Household electrification and improved energy efficiency is critical to improving household health and wellbeing, reducing energy costs and achieving emission reduction targets through the energy transition. The NSW Energy Security Safeguard (ESS) and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) are long-established, successful programs which have huge potential to make electrification and efficient household energy use more equitable and accessible for all NSW households.
That’s why we supported significant reforms to the ESS and PDRS in our response to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Energy Security Safeguard Policy and Rule Change Consultation Papers. We provided detailed recommendations to both papers, prioritising:
- A more robust scheme architecture, with improved transparency, quality standards and robust regulation to protect households and ensure good outcomes.
- A stronger, and more consistent objective for electrification, energy efficiency and flexibility of electricity demand across all Safeguard schemes.
- Future-focused targets and frameworks that will help overcome barriers to participation – with a priority for measures which focus on improving equity and linking to other government programs, and;
- A range of detailed recommendations for changes to activities, eligibility, registration, and monitoring and compliance to support more consistent outcomes.
What’s next?
We expect to policy changes progressed and see further rule changes come up for consultation from DCCEEW in 2026. We will continue advocating for regulatory change that supports household electrification in NSW.
Read more in our Submission to NSW DCCEEW’s Energy Safeguard Rule Change
and our Submission to NSW DCCEEW Statutory Reviews of the ESS and PDRS
