The Clean Energy Regulator undertakes activities to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000. In the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), these activities range from electronic matching of records and the validation of claims via supporting documentation and aerial photography through to client engagement, investigations and enforcement action.
| Activity |
January-March 2014 |
April-June 2014 |
July-September 2014 |
October-December 2014 |
|---|
| Electronic data matching (STCs) |
4,705,096 | 4,744,936 | 5,048,753 | 5,114,749 |
|---|
| Validation checks (systems) |
23,805 | 18,025 | 17,579 | 17,588 |
|---|
| Client engagement | 3 | 28 | 8 | 11 |
|---|
| Warrants executed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
|---|
| Enforceable undertakings accepted | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Cases on hand at the end of the period | 46 | 28 | 27 | 24 |
|---|
Electronic data matching
Information relating to the creation of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) is examined electronically by the Clean Energy Regulator to identify ineligible certificate claims.
Validation checks
In addition to electronic data matching, the Clean Energy Regulator often requires applicants to provide documents and other forms of evidence to support their claims. Validation checks can also include other technologies and procedures to substantiate claims by applicants.
Client engagement
Clean Energy Regulator staff may attend installation sites and conduct meetings with stakeholders and industry groups to facilitate a range of activities, including:
- providing educational material;
- providing specific advice to targeted audiences;
- confirming details provided by applicants;
- explaining the eligibility requirements for the creation of certificates; and
- conducting formal visits to address specific compliance concerns.
Warrants executed
Clean Energy Regulator staff may require access to businesses premises under Section 125 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to take copies of documents that relate to certificate claims. This evidence may become the basis of subsequent legal actions. Clean Energy Regulator staff may also assist with the execution of search warrants by the Australian Federal Police or state and territory police services in relation to compliance activities being undertaken by the Clean Energy Regulator.
Enforceable undertakings
Under section 154Q of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, the Clean Energy Regulator may accept a written undertaking from a person or other legal entity to do or refrain from doing certain things, including the surrender of certificates that were not entitled to be created. See the enforceable undertakings page for a list of enforceable undertakings carried out by the Clean Energy Regulator.
Cases on hand
This number reflects the number of cases on hand at the end of the period. A case is a matter referred to the Investigations and Enforcement Branch, where a breach of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 has been identified and further inquiries are being undertaken to determine the extent of the breach, the parties involved and the most effective outcome.