What's new

August 2010

Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 7

Version 7 of the Register of solar water heaters is in effect from Wednesday 11 August 2010. You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of Solar Water Heaters and Postcode Zones.

Please email orer@orer.gov.au to receive Version 32 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater Installations.

July 2010

Call for submissions - Register of solar water heaters - Version 8

The closing time for lodgement of submissions is 5pm Eastern Standard Time 31 August 2010. Visit Updating the Register of Solar Water Heaters - Version 8

Regulations for air source heat pumps and off-grid SGU installations in force

The following regulations were made on the 8 July 2010 and are now in force:

Under the legislation, air source heat pumps with a volumetric capacity over 425 litres are excluded from creating RECs if installed on or after 29 June 2010. This may not apply if the system fulfils contract requirements under the regulations.

Visit - Current Agents Guide - heat pumps

The legislation includes provisions to increase the kilowatt (kW) capacity limit for which the Solar Credits multiplier applies in relation to off-grid small generation unit installations up to the first 20 kW of a system capacity subject to an annual cap in the total number of certificates.

Visit - Current Agents Guide - off-grid

We encourage you to also look at the detail in the regulations and seek your own advice as to whether you qualify.

Visit off-grid Regulations
Visit heat pump Regulations

If you have any further questions regarding administration arrangements contact Matthew Power (matthew.power@orer.gov.au) or Julian Mateer (julian.mateer@orer.gov.au) from the Small Units Team.

ORER’s role is to administer the Act. If you have any questions about RET Policy contact the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on ret@climatechange.gov.au

June 2010

Enhanced Renewable Energy Target legislation has received Royal Assent

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Bill 2010 received Royal Assent on Monday 28 June 2010.

Administrative arrangements for air source heat pumps and off-grid small generation units will be communicated to stakeholders when the regulations are made.
It is the Government’s intention that RECs will still be able to be created where a contract for the acquisition or installation of an above 425 litre air source heat pump has been entered into (and a deposit paid) prior to 24 June 2010. The installation will need to be completed prior to 1 January 2011. More detail will be provided in the regulations. Visit - Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website
If you have questions on timing of the air source heat pump and off-grid small generation unit regulations contact the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency RET Policy team at ret@climatechange.gov.au
REC Registry users - please keep your details up to date in the REC Registry including your email address, phone number and physical and mailing addresses to ensure you receive updates.

ORER will provide further updates on all administrative processes resulting from the Bill as soon as they are available.

Enhanced Renewable Energy Target legislation passed

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2010 was passed by the Parliament on Thursday 24 June 2010. The legislation is not yet in force as it is awaiting Royal Assent.

As of 1 January 2011, the Renewable Energy Target (RET) will be separated into two parts, the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

The legislation is available on the Parliament of Australia website. Note that the approved amendments are yet to be integrated into the legislation.
The amended legislation will also be available on the ComLaw website shortly
ORER will send email updates to REC Registry accounts on any new or amended processes as soon as they are finalised and the necessary regulations are in force.
ORER also plans to release a summary of the overarching administrative changes to the RET within the next couple of weeks via the ORER website. REC Registry account holders will be notified via email.

The significant legislative changes that will impact the industry directly the day after Royal Assent or within the next five months are as follows:

The day after Royal Assent

Exclusion of air source heat pumps with a volumetric capacity over 425 litres from creating RECs if installed the day after Royal Assent or thereafter.
The improper creation of certificates is now a civil penalty provision (s 24A) as well as a criminal penalty provision (existing s 24).
A new civil penalty provision (s 24B) has been added in relation to providing false or misleading documents to a person who could be expected to create certificates for a small generation unit or solar water heater in reliance on that information.
Executive officers of a body corporate may be liable if they knew of contraventions of civil penalty provisions, were in a position to influence that conduct and failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the contravention (s 154N – 154P).
The Regulator has a power to accept enforceable undertakings ( s 154Q) and to seek injunctions (s 154S).
The Minister has been given a power to request information from corporations conducting emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities for the purposes of determining eligibility of those activities.

Within the next 5 months

The Regulations must be made to increase the kilowatt (kW) capacity limit for which the Solar Credits multiplier applies in relation to off-grid small generation unit installations up to the first 20 kW of a system capacity subject to an annual cap in the total number of certificates. If you are wishing to create RECs for off-grid units in the near future please contact ORER at orer@orer.gov.au as the Regulations and REC Registry software will be updated shortly.

The Regulations may give the Renewable Energy Regulator the power to adjust the Solar Credits multiplier. The Government will consult on draft regulations to implement this arrangement later this year. It is the intention that solar credits for SGUs would be able to be reduced if the Renewable Energy Regulator determines there is systemic evidence of relatively small or no out-of-pocket expense to owners of SGUs. The Act also gives the power for the regulations to increase the kW capacity limit of the solar credit multiplier up to 3kW.
Annual LRET targets will be adjusted if the number of RECs exceeds a value equivalent to 34.5 million at the end of the 2010 calendar year. This is equal to a benchmark figure of 20 million RECs, net of the 2011 February surrender amount (12.5 million RECs) and the expected number of voluntarily surrendered RECs (2 million RECs). In this case the target will be increased by half the 2010 excess each year in 2012–2013 and reduced by a quarter of the 2010 excess each year from 2016–2019.
Removal of the link to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in the regulations relating to the provision of EITE assistance for the previous Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) of 9,500 GWh where the REC price exceeds $40.
Regulations will be made to establish a program to inspect a statistically significant sample of small generation unit installations for compliance with Australian standards and requirements relevant to the creation of certificates. Information regarding a system’s failure to comply will be transferred to State, Territory or Commonwealth bodies with responsibility for the enforcement and administration of those standards or requirements.

ORER’s role is to administer the Act. If you have any questions about RET Policy contact the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency on ret@climatechange.gov.au

ORER will have a limited scope in answering questions regarding implementation until the regulations are in place. We will ensure that you are clearly briefed on the required changes to your administrative processes as soon as possible.

Amendments to the regulations to strengthen SGU safety and compliance

Amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 require PV solar installations installed on or after 20 August 2010 and hydro and wind installations installed on or after 20 December 2010 to obtain additional compliance documentation before RECs are created. The regulations were made on 15 June and came into force on the 21 June 2010.

Visit - Media release 21 June 2010

For more information visit:

Current Agents Guide - How to: REC Assignment
SGU Owners Guide - General installation advice and procedures for householders
SGU Owners Guide - Option 2: Individual Trading. Step 5: Obtain all relevant compliance paperwork

March 2010

Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) 2010 Set

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 have been amended to include the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2010. The 2010 RPP has been set at 5.98% under Regulation 23.

For further information please see the ComLaw website.

The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets specified in the legislation which will achieve the Renewable Energy Target (RET) for 2010 of 12,500 GWh.

Public consultation for Enhanced Renewable Energy Target

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE), Renewable Electricity Markets, Strategies and Coordination Division, is conducting a public consultation on the proposal to separate the existing Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme into two parts – the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET).

The consultation paper can be found at the DCCEE website.

Submissions close on 14 April 2010. Further information concerning deadlines or how to lodge your submissions can be obtained from the above webpage. To discuss the consultation paper you should contact DCCEE.

Partial exemption for emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) activities

The regulations relating to partial exemption in respect of electricity used in conducting emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities were made on the 10 March 2010. Eligible entities can apply for Partial Exemption Certificates (PECs) in relation to electricity used in carrying out the EITE activities.

Visit: Partial exemption for emissions-intensive trade-exposed activities

Advice for liable parties: Reporting partial exemption certificates (PECs) in the AEAS or RESS

For the 2010 and future compliance years liable parties may report PECs received when submitting the AEAS and RESS. The AEAS and RESS will include a new section containing fields regarding PECs. In order to receive the partial exemptions set out on the PECs, liable parties must provide copies of relevant PECs with the AEAS and RESS.

Visit – Reporting partial exemption certificates in the AEAS or RESS

Call for submissions – Register of solar water heaters – Version 7

The closing time for lodgment of submissions is 5pm Eastern Standard Time 1 April 2010.

Updating Version 7 of the Register of solar water heaters has now closed and is no longer available on the ORER website.

Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 6

Version 6 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 3 March 2010. You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.

Please email orer@orer.gov.au or call 02 6159 7700 to receive Version 31 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.

February 2010

Changes to the Renewable Energy Target Scheme

On the 26 February 2010 the Government announced proposed amendments to the RET scheme effective from 1 January 2011 including:

the RET scheme will include two parts - the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET).
the SRES will provide a fixed price of $40 per REC.

Visit: Media Release -26 February 2010

As detailed in the media release, the Government will shortly release an industry consultation paper and intends to legislate the changes in the Winter Sittings of Parliament.

As ORER's role is to administer the Act ORER cannot provide further information regarding changes to administration of the RET until amendments to the legislation are passed by Parliament.

ORER will email significant updates to registered users of the REC Registry, including release of the industry consultation paper.

Continue to check the Department of Climate Change website for updates.

Compliance nearing 100%

Compliance figures have been released showing nearly 100% compliance from liable parties in 2008.

Visit: Media release - 1 February 2010

December 2009

New regulations

The regulations for gaming, transition of state based renewable energy target schemes into the RET and changes to postcode zones for deemed units are in force as of 16 December 2009.

Visit: ComLaw website

REC calculator

A REC Calculator is now available on the REC Registry. The calculator determines the approximate amount of RECs that may be received under the RET for a solar water heater or small generation unit installation and is accessible without login to the REC Registry.

Visit: Solar Water Heater REC Calculator

Visit: Small Generation Unit REC Calculator

New compulsory fields in REC Registry - For agents of solar water heaters and small generation units

The following new fields must be completed by Registered Agents from 14 December 2009 onwards.

SGU REC Creation

SGU RECs created in the REC Registry must answer the following four new mandatory questions:

Have you received of been approved for a rebate or financial assistance for any small generation unit at this address?
Have you received Solar Credits (multiplied RECs) for a small generation unit at this premises/address?
Is this an ELIGIBLE premises for Solar Credits (REC Multiplier)?
Are you installing a complete unit (additional capacity to an existing system is not considered a complete unit)?

SGU bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail.

Visit: Deemed units bulk upload guidelines

The following new mandatory field has been added when claiming the 15 year deeming period for solar SGU installations.

CEC/BCSE Accredited Installer Number

SWH REC Creation

The following two compulsory new questions must be completed when creating RECs for SWH installation.

Is the volumetric capacity of this installation greater than 700L?
Have two statutory declarations been sent to statdec@orer.gov.au as per the current regulations? For more information see http://www.orer.gov.au/swh

SWH bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail.

Visit: Deemed units bulk upload guidelines

ORER bulk upload workbooks

Registered agents can obtain a copy of the ORER bulk upload workbook please request a copy via email at orer@orer.gov.au

Updating REC assignment forms

Registered Agents will be required to update their REC assignment forms with the addition of Solar Credits and statutory declarations questions.
Agents must send a copy of their updated REC assignment forms to orer@orer.gov.au by Monday, 4th January 2010.

Visit: Mandatory information required for REC assignment declaration forms

Public consultation for Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 – Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed activities

The Department of Climate Change (DCC), Renewable Electricity Markets, Strategies and Coordination Division , is conducting a public consultation for proposed amendments to Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 in relation to partial exemption from REC liability for certain Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) activities.

The proposed regulations can be found at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/media/whats-new/ret-eite.aspx

Submissions close on 28 January 2010. Further information concerning deadlines or how to lodge your submissions can be obtained from the above webpage. To discuss the proposed regulation you should contact DCC.

November 2009

2009 RET Compliance Update: for registered persons and liable parties

The 2009 compliance period is fast approaching. Please read carefully the 2009 compliance year update for important information regarding:

Key timelines and availability of 2009 annual reporting forms for power stations, solar water heaters, small generation units, and liable parties including when to

Create RECs
Register RECs
Transfer RECs
Surrender RECs

Visit – 2009 compliance year update

September 2009

Administration arrangements – Solar Credits and Solar Water Heaters

The new Regulations to implement Solar Credits and requiring statutory declarations for large Solar Water Heaters are now in force.

To obtain an updated copy of the Act and Regulations visit the ComLaw website

Media release – 10 September 2009

The following pages contain new administrative processes resulting from the updated Act and Regulations:

Creating RECs under Solar Credits (REC Multiplier)

Registered persons are able to create additional RECs as of 10 September 2009 under the Solar Credits mechanism for eligible installations of Small Generation Units.

The Small Generation Units guide on the ORER website contains the following updated information:

Eligibility for Solar Credits for Small Generation Units (small-scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems) installed on or after 9 June 2009
REC calculation for Solar Credits including REC calculation examples
Definition of an eligible premises in terms of Solar Credits.

A majority of owners of small generation units choose to assign their RECs to a registered agent.

Visit – List of Agents

SGU REC Creation (solar credits) - two updated fields

The REC Registry will be ready to accept Solar Credit RECs as of 10 September 2009. Two updated compulsory questions in the REC Registry must be completed when creating RECs for SGU installations.

The sample questions:

Are featured in the manual and bulk upload functions for SGU REC creation.
Occur between "Disconnection date" and "Grid connected".

The two updated compulsory questions are:

Have you received or been approved for a rebate or financial assistance (including Solar Credits) for any small generation unit at this address? Please answer Yes or No.
Is this premises NOT ELIGIBLE for Solar Credits (REC Multiplier), (if you answer NO then you are confirming that the premises is eligible for Solar Credits)? Please answer Yes or No.

SGU Bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail. SGU RECs created in the REC Registry on or after the 10th September 2009 must answer the above mentioned questions correctly. To obtain a copy of the new SGU Bulk Upload Guidelines please go to the Bulk Upload drop down menu in your Registry Account.

The rebate or financial assistance referred to in the first question would come from the following:

Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP)
Renewable Remote Power Generation (RRPGP)
National Solar School Program (NSSP)
Photovoltaic Rebate Programme (PVRP)

Submitting a statutory declaration for Solar Water Heaters

Installations of systems with a capacity greater than 700 litres installed on or after 9 September 2009 will require submission of two statutory declaration forms to ORER prior to the creation of RECs. The statutory declarations should indicate the following:

Statutory declaration 1 (to be completed by owner): That the owner intends for the system to remain installed in its original configuration and location for the life of the system.
Statutory declaration 2 (to confirm appropriately sized system):
- the model of the solar water heater
- the volumetric storage capacity of the heater
- the premises at which the heater is to be installed and used
- the purposes for which the heater, and the hot water produced by the heater, are to be used
- that the volumetric storage capacity of the heater is appropriate for the premises at which the heater is to be installed and the purposes for which the heater, and the hot water produced by the heater, are to be used
- the expertise or experience of the person signing the declaration in relation to a heater of the kind covered by the declaration (in most cases this will be the installer/supplier).

Visit – Example statutory declaration

Updating REC Assignment forms

Registered Agents will be required to update their REC assignment forms with the addition of the solar credits and the statutory declarations.

Please send a copy of your updated REC Assignment form to orer@orer.gov.au by 30 September 2009

Visit - Mandatory information required for REC assignment declaration forms - Requirements

August 2009

Expanded Renewable Energy Target Legislation passed on the 20 August 2009

The legislation to implement the expanded national Renewable Energy Target was passed on the 20th August 2009.

When the necessary regulations come into force ORER will be able to administer Solar Credits and other aspects of the RET scheme which require amendment to the current regulations.
We anticipate that the Solar Credits regulations will be put in place in the near future.
The new legislation will be available shortly at the DCC website.
The ORER website will display updates to the RET administrative processes as soon as they are finalised.
REC Registry users will be notified via email of important updates.

Media Release - 20 August 2009

June 2009

Call for submissions - Register of solar water heaters - Version 6

The closing time for lodgement of submissions is 5pm Eastern Standard Time 16 July 2009.

Updating Version 6 of the Register of solar water heaters has now closed and is no longer available on the ORER website.

Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 5

Version 5 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 18 June 2009. You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.

Please contact Matthew Power (matthew.power@orer.gov.au or 02 6159 7700) to receive Version 28 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.

Claiming Solar Credits for small generation units

The Government has announced that small-scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems will be able to receive ‘Solar Credits’ once the expanded national RET scheme legislation passes through Parliament and the required regulations come into force. Solar Credits is a mechanism under the expanded RET scheme which multiplies the number of RECs able to be created for eligible installations of small-scale renewable energy systems. Those wishing to create RECS for systems installed on or after 9 June 2009 may choose to apply for RECs under the current deeming arrangements and apply later for the additional Solar Credits when invited by the ORER. Alternatively, they may choose to delay their application until the Solar Credits regulations are in place.
Visit – Solar Credit fact sheets and Current REC eligibility for small generation units

Final legislation for the expanded Renewable Energy Target

The Australian Government will today release the final legislation for the expanded Renewable Energy Target (RET) which will allow for the creation of new ‘Solar Credits' to replace the existing Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) from today onwards.
Government continues to grow renewable energy industry - Media release

April 2009

COAG agrees to the design of the expanded RET

On 30 April 2009, COAG agreed the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, to implement the Government's commitment that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Visit - www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget
Media release - www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2009/media_release_0943.cfm

March 2009

Change of phone numbers - ORER

As of 21st March 09 ORER's phone numbers will change, including all staff numbers. In the first instance please contact ORER via the new central number and fax:

Phone: (02) 6159 7700
Fax: (02) 6159 7780

ORER's central email will remain the same - orer@orer.gov.au

From the 21 March 09 onwards please address all ORER staff emails as follows - firstname.lastname@orer.gov.au

January 2009

Scheme sheds light on healthy renewable energy industry

The Office of Renewable Energy Regulator released figures today demonstrating nearly 100% compliance by wholesale electricity purchasers to the MRET scheme, resulting in electricity from renewable sources powering nearly 900,000 households in 2007.

Media release - 28 January 2009

Consultation on the treatment of electricity-intensive, trade-exposed industries under the Renewable Energy Target

The COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water has released a consultation paper on the treatment of electricity-intensive, trade-exposed industries under the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme.

Interested stakeholders are invited to comment on the issues outlined in this paper.

For more information visit - www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget/consultation/index.html#RET

December 2008

Updating Version 5 of the Register of solar water heaters has now closed and is no longer available on the ORER website.

Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 4

Version 4 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 17 December 2008.

You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.

Please contact Matthew Power (matthew.power@orer.gov.au or 02 6215 7700) to receive Version 27 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.

Renewable Energy Target scheme - exposure draft legislation released for public comment

Exposure draft legislation on the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme has been released for public comment. Interested stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the exposure draft legislation by 13 February 2009.

Legislation to implement the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme will be in place by mid-2009.

For more information visit

www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget/consultation/ret-scheme.html

November 2008

2008 MRET Compliance Update: Information for registered persons and liable parties

The 2008 compliance period is fast approaching. Please read carefully the 2008 compliance year update for important information regarding key timelines and availability of 2008 annual reporting forms for power stations, solar water heaters, small generation units, and liable parties including when to:

Create RECs
Register RECs
Transfer RECs
Surrender RECs

For more information visit - www.orer.gov.au/about/compliance-update.html

August 2008

Australian Government's Renewable Energy Target

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply comes from renewable energy by 2020. To deliver on this commitment, the Government is establishing an expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme.

The national Renewable Energy Target scheme will:

Increase the existing Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) by more than four times to 45,000 gigawatt-hours in 2020.
Contribute to meeting Australia's targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Provide a market incentive to accelerate uptake of Australia's abundant renewable energy sources, which include solar, wind and geothermal energy.
Reduce red tape by bringing existing state-based targets into a single, national scheme.