How the government is helping NSW save power

The $150-million NSW Energy Efficiency Strategy includes the following measures:

• NSW Government commitments
  The NSW Government committed to reducing its carbon pollution from power consumption including cutting carbon pollution from building energy use and improving the environmental performance of buildings. Specific strategies for educational and health facilities have also been developed.more
• Energy Savings Scheme
  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 per cent by 2014.more
• Energy savings by large energy users
  The state's largest energy users continue to implement cost-effective energy savings measures identified in their Energy Savings Action Plans.more
• Extra training to fill 'green' jobs
  Under the Energy Efficiency Training Program (formerly known as the Energy Training for Trades and Professionals Program) skilled trades and business people such as plumbers, electricians and interior designers will be trained to meet the growing demand for 'green collar' workers delivering energy-efficient design, building and other services.more
• Home Power Savings Program
  The $63-million Home Power Savings Program (formerly known as Low Income Household Refit Program) will deliver home energy assessments and free energy savings kits to 220,000 low-income families. It is estimated this will help cut the average annual power bill by up to 10 per cent or $95 per year.more
• Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program
  This program provides on-site advice for 6,000 small and medium businesses. It offers rebates to help with activities such as lighting upgrades and improvements to air-conditioning and refrigeration. As a result, the average small business is expected to save $7,850 on power bills over 10 years and significantly reduce its carbon pollution levels.more
• Expansion of the Sustainability Advantage Program
  The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW is working with an additional 800 medium to large businesses on leading-edge waste reduction, and energy and water saving measures, aimed at cutting energy use in these businesses by at least 10 per cent.more
• Energy Efficiency Community Awareness Program
  This community awareness and education program provides the community with information on the links between electricity use and carbon pollution and gives advice on how to reduce electricity use at home and at work.more
• Public sector energy savings
  NSW government agencies also need to reduce energy consumption. The NSW government is committed to being low carbon in its own operations. The NSW Government Sustainability Policy includes targets to reduce emissions from energy use (to 2000 levels by 2019-20) and improve energy efficiency in government-owned or tenanted buildings.