Unlike STCs, which have a $40 clearing house ceiling, ESCs have no fixed price band that we can point to. They trade over the counter, with brokers and traders quoting bids and offers. We do not publish an ESC figure here, because it would be out of date quickly. What we can do is explain what drives it and how to get a reliable quote. For the NSW-specific view, see ESC price in NSW.
What an ESC is
One Energy Savings Certificate represents one megawatt hour of energy savings created under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. They are created by accredited certificate providers, after approved energy saving activities, and bought mainly by electricity retailers who have an annual obligation. See what an ESC is.
What moves the price
- Supply. More accredited projects mean more certificates.
- Demand. The scheme’s annual targets set how many ESCs retailers must surrender.
- Scheme rules. Changes to methods, targets or penalties shift the outlook.
- Timing. Prices can tighten as compliance deadlines approach.
How to get a number you can use
Ask a certificate trader or broker for a current bid for the volume you have. Ask what the quote assumes about the delivery date, registration status and any fees. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, which administers the scheme, publishes registry and compliance information, but not a price.
From the desk: a quote means little without a volume and a settlement date. Always ask for both.
Recording the sale
When you sell, keep a record of the quote, the date, the volume and the buyer. It helps if the figure is ever questioned, and it makes it easy to see over a year whether your buyer’s pricing is competitive. Ask for settlement in writing, and check the invoice against the registry transfer.
What this means for you
If you are an accredited provider or an installer working with one, ask more than one buyer, and compare settlement speed as well as price. Energy Merchants works in STCs, VEECs and battery STCs, and publishes its rates on pricing. For the related Victorian scheme, see VEEC trading, and the resources hub has the wider guides.