New South Wales Battery Rebates (PDRS)

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What is the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme? 

The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) is a government initiative designed to lower electricity demand during peak times. It works by rewarding installations and technologies, like Amber’s SmartShift™ battery optimisation, that help reduce or shift energy consumption during the peak summer period.

This scheme has two parts; the first rebate is for installing a new battery (BESS1) and the second rebate is for connecting your battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This FAQ will explain these rebates and how they interact with Amber’s SmartShift™ program.

The new battery (BESS1) rebate is administered by your installer, so we recommend reaching out to them to discuss applying for this. The VPP (BESS2) rebate application is filled out by you and payment is facilitated by MAC Trade Services, Amber’s accredited activity provider under PDRS.

 

Connecting a New or Existing Battery to a VPP rebate (BESS2)

Earn up to $500 by connecting your battery to Amber's SmartShift™ technology!

 

What you are entitled to claim under the scheme

How much you are entitled to be rebated under the scheme is dependent on your battery size (kWh) and your battery make/model (more on this below).

Rebates are capped at 28kWh, the total battery capacity cannot be 28kWh or more. 

Check the MAC Trade Services Rebate Calculator tool on their website to determine which rebate amount applies to your specific battery capacity.

Examples:Screenshot 2024-10-18 at 3.40.34 pm.png

 

Under this scheme, you can claim this rebate twice; once when you first connect your battery to Amber's SmartShift™ technology and again after you have been connected to SmartShift™ for 3 years. This rebate can only be claimed once per site/household, meaning if you connect your battery to Amber's SmartShift™ technology then move to another VPP, you will not be eligible for the rebate again.

Note: Claiming this rebate does not lock you in to Amber for any period of time. It's basically free cash! 

 

Is your battery eligible?

To claim your rebate under PDRS you need to have connected your battery to Amber's SmartShift™ technology in NSW on or after November 1st, 2024.

Your battery must be compatible with Amber's SmartShift™ technology and be included on the full list of batteries that have been assessed for compliance by MAC Trade Services. See the full list on the MAC Trade Services website here.

Further eligibility criteria include:

  • Be a residential site with Amber as your retailer
  • Have solar PV installed at the same site (NMI)
  • No Life Support Equipment in use at the site
  • The total battery system capacity cannot be 28kWh or more
  • Each battery model must:
    • Be listed on the Clean Energy Council's approved battery list when connected to the VPP.
    • Have a capacity of more than 2kWh and less than 28kWh
    • Have a minimum 6 years remaining on the warranty
    • Meet specific warranty conditions

 

How to claim your rebate?

This rebate is available for new and existing batteries connecting to Amber's SmartShift™ technology for the first time. The most important steps for the application process for the rebate are Steps 3 and 4; Step 3 should take around 5-10 minutes to complete and Step 4 should take around 5 minutes. 

Join Amber now, and we will reach out to you with the next steps. This process may be delayed for the first few customers, but rest assured, we will send you the details as soon as possible.

New Amber customers 

If you are not yet an Amber for Batteries customer in NSW, the first step is to join Amber (after November 1st, 2024).

  1. Wait until your new battery is installed. 
  2. Join Amber and provide your battery details to join SmartShift™.
  3. Once you are an Amber customer, and you have provided your battery details for onboarding, Amber will send you an email with the following:
    • The IPART (NSW Energy Sustainability Schemes) Fact Sheet - This outlines things to consider when connecting a battery to a VPP. 
    • A contract to nominate our partner MAC Trade Services as your Approved Certificate Provider (ACP) - This agreement allows MAC Trade Services to facilitate your rebate.*
    • A link to the first application stage for your rebate from MAC Trade Services.
  4. Once your battery is being optimised by Amber's SmartShift™ technology, we will send you an email with the following:
    • An example of how to screenshot your Amber App as evidence that you are connected to SmartShift™.
    • A link to complete the final application stage for your rebate from MAC Trade Services.

 

In stage 1 of MAC's application, you are required to upload the following documents, if you are having trouble finding this please see the explainer below: 

Scheme Nomination Form (BESS2)
Please search for “NSW PDRS Rebate - Nomination Contract” in your email inbox, you should have a copy sent from Google Forms after you have completed this step. If you are unable to find this in your inbox, please reach out to Amber support and we can send you a copy.

Battery Installation Welcome Pack & Certificate of Compliance - Electrical Work

Please reach out to your battery installer if you do not have these documents saved.

Recent Electricity Bil

Please check your previous retailer's electricity bills and upload a bill no older than 6 months. 

 

Existing Amber customers installing a new battery

This applies if you are an Amber customer and are connecting a newly installed battery to Amber's SmartShift™ technology after Nov 1st 2024.

Once your battery is installed, you will need to sign up for SmartShift™ via the devices tab in your Amber app. From there, the process to apply for this rebate will be the same as a new Amber customer once you have submitted your battery details.

 

New Battery Installation rebate (BESS1)

Earn up to $3575 by installing a new battery for your household, please see the MAC Trade Services website for more information on eligibility and rebate pricing:
https://mactradeservices.com.au/new-south-wales/batteries

Note, if you are interested in installing a battery at your property and want to check if you are eligible for the New Battery Installation reabte (BESS1), you will need to reach out to an installer in your area as this rebate is facilitated by your installer (not Amber). 

 

To be clear, Amber is not paying this rebate, determining eligibility or rebate amount. We simply have worked with MAC Trade Services to get batteries connected to SmartShift™ approved by the NSW Government under PDRS, so you have the opportunity to access this rebate once you are a fully-optimised Amber for Batteries customer. 

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