Important update (1 July 2026): Eligibility now includes batteries up to 50 kWh. The incentive amount is soft capped at 28 kWh, but bigger batteries can still claim up to that amount. Plus solar is no longer a requirement. Check MAC Trade Services for details.
What is the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)?
The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) is an NSW Government scheme that incentivises consumers for reducing electricity use during peak times.
This FAQ covers BESS2 - which is the PDRS incentive for connecting your battery to an eligible Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
IPART sets the scheme rules. Amber assists you to apply for the incentive through MAC Trade Services, who process and pay your BESS2 incentive on IPART's behalf - Amber doesn't assess, approve, or pay it.
Note: if you're looking for battery purchase discounts, that's now covered by the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), not this scheme.
⚠️ Important disclaimer: The BESS2 incentive is a third-party offer administered by MAC Trade Services on behalf of IPART — Amber does not pay, process, or administer this incentive. Amber doesn’t determine your eligibility or the specific dollar amount you may receive. Eligibility and payment are governed by MAC Trade Services' own terms and conditions, and Amber receives no payment or referral fee in connection with this incentive.
What can you earn, and how does it work?
Your incentive amount depends on your battery's size and model - check the MAC Trade Services eligibility for more details.
A few key things to know:
- Amber is an eligible plan: Our battery plan with SmartShift automation included meets the incentive criteria for joining a VPP.
- One per site: this can only be claimed once per NMI. If you later move to a different VPP, you can't claim it again.
- The incentive amount is variable: The final cash amount you receive is based on the market value for Peak Reduction Certificates (PRC) that MAC trade services is authorised to sell to the certificate market on your behalf as part of the scheme.
- Stackable with the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: PDRS is a NSW government program which is compatible with the Federal program, which means you can claim both.
Is your battery eligible?
To qualify:
- You're a residential Amber customer, and the account holder for the property's NMI (and the person who signed the VPP/aggregator contract)
- No Life Support Equipment is registered at the site
- Solar is optional and not required
- Your battery model is on MAC Trade Services' approved compatibility list, and is:
- Listed on the Clean Energy Council's approved battery list at the time it's onboarded to the VPP
- Between 2kWh and 50kWh capacity, soft capped at 28 kWh, which means the incentive is the same value for batteries sized 28 kWh up to 50 kWh.
- Under warranty, with at least 6 years remaining and meeting standard warranty conditions
- Total system capacity is within the scheme's current cap (check the calculator — this has changed recently)
How to claim your incentive
New Amber customers:
- Get your battery installed, then join Amber and add your battery details to set up SmartShift.
- We'll email you the IPART Fact Sheet and your MAC Nomination Contract — save this email, as you'll need it later.
- Once SmartShift is optimising your battery, we'll email you the application link for MAC Trade Services and the SmartShift Terms & Conditions.
Existing Amber customers with a new battery: sign up for SmartShift via the Devices tab in the Amber app, then follow the same process from step 2 above.
The MAC Trade Services application (step 4) takes about 10–15 minutes and needs these documents:
| Document | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Signed VPP Contract/T&Cs | Standard SmartShift T&Cs — no signature needed |
| Scheme Nomination Form | Search your inbox for "IMPORTANT INFORMATION to claim your NSW battery incentive" and save as PDF |
| Recent electricity bill | Amber app → Bills (or a bill from a previous retailer, under 6 months old) |
| VPP onboarding welcome email | Search your inbox for "Your battery is being optimised" |
| Certificate of Compliance (Electrical Work) | Ask your battery installer |
| Battery quote or purchase invoice | Ask your battery installer |
Missing any of the Amber-sent emails, including your Nomination Contract? Just reach out to our team for a copy.
Once submitted, approval can take up to 60 days.
Need help?
- Application trouble: MAC Trade Services support — 1300 430 917
- Missing Amber documents: contact our support team.
Looking for a battery purchase discount instead?
That's the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) — an upfront discount on the battery price, arranged through your installer, separate from this incentive. More on the CHBP.
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