Peak reduction certificates are NSW’s tool for lowering demand at the times of day the grid is most stressed. Their price is set by trade, not by statute.
How the price forms
Electricity retailers in NSW have an obligation under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) and need PRCs to meet it. Accredited providers create PRCs when they deliver eligible activities, and sell them to traders or direct to retailers. The price depends on how many PRCs are being created compared to how many the retailers need, plus the penalty and compliance framework.
Because the market moves, any single figure in an article would age quickly. A trader can quote the live buy price for the activity you are delivering.
Why activity matters
PRC value for a given job depends on the number of PRCs the activity creates, which in turn depends on the activity, the product and the rules in force. Battery rules changed in 2025: the NSW battery incentive moved into the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with a PDRS incentive for connecting a battery to a VPP. Read the current activity requirements on the NSW scheme pages for details.
What to compare when you sell PRCs
- The rate and whether it is locked when you lodge.
- How soon you are paid after creation.
- Fees, and who is the registered provider.
- Whether the buyer also handles ESCs.
Comparing buyers
To compare PRC buyers, ask each for a quote on the same volume and activity, with the lock point and payment days. Check whether the price is quoted per PRC or per activity. Ask about fees, and whether the buyer also takes ESCs, which can simplify your paperwork. A quote that is higher but has strings, such as a minimum volume or a long payment term, may not be better for your cash flow than a lower one with a clear short timeline.
What this means for installers
If you work in NSW, treat PRCs and ESCs as a second stream to your STCs, and learn the activity rules before you quote. Related guides: ACP accreditation in NSW and ESC payment times. For selling STCs, see the pricing page, and the STC trading page. The resources hub lists more.