The Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme Code (REES Code) was made by the Commission in December 2008 and commenced in January 2009 as an industry code pursuant to the powers of the Commission under section 28 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2002 (SA). It is binding on licensed energy retailers pursuant to Part 4 of the Essential Services Commission Act.
The REES Code establishes requirements in relation to the conduct and operations of energy retailers in satisfaction of their REES obligations imposed under energy retail licences, including:
- the allocation and notification of, and obligation to achieve, energy audit targets, greenhouse gas reduction targets and priority group greenhouse gas reduction targets;
- record-keeping and reporting obligations (including data integrity assurance mechanisms) in relation to energy audit targets, greenhouse gas reduction targets and priority group greenhouse gas reduction targets; and
- compliance and audit obligations (including provisions for Annual Compliance Plans) in relation to energy audit targets, greenhouse gas reduction targets and priority group greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Each energy retail licence requires the relevant energy retailer to comply with REES and also requires that energy retailer to comply with any relevant industry code made by the Commission from time to time. The REES Code is a relevant industry code for that purpose.
Based on operational experiences and stakeholder feedback during 2009, the first year of REES, the Commission has recently undertaken a review of the format and content of the REES Code and recommended some amendments to the document. The amendments include general updates to the document to reflect energy industry changes over the last 12 months. The Commission has also responded to stakeholder feedback and increased flexibility in the reporting requirements and strengthened the consumer protection provisions.
The Commission has publicly released an amended REES Code on its website for stakeholder consultation (REESC/03). Stakeholders are encouraged to review the amended document and are invited to comment in writing.
Stakeholders should note that it is presently proposed that, subject to stakeholder submissions, the amended REES Code will come into effect from 30 August 2010.
Details on how to make submissions on this Draft Decision and the associated regulatory documents are provided on the opening page of the Draft Decision document on the Commission's website. Submissions are due by 16 July 2010.
Publications
The Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme Code (REES Code) was made by the Commission in December 2008 and commenced in January 2009 as an industry code pursuant to the powers of the Commission under section 28 of the Essential Services Commission Act 2002.
Based on operational experiences and stakeholder feedback during 2009, the first year of REES, the Commission has recently undertaken a review of the format and content of the REES Code and proposed various amendments. The amendments include general updates to the document to reflect energy industry changes over the last 12 months. The Commission has also responded to stakeholder feedback and increased flexibility in the reporting requirements and strengthened the consumer protection provisions.
The Commission has reviewed the submissions that were provided in response to the Draft Decision and, taking into account the issues raised, now releases its Final Decision. The amended version of the REES Code (REESC/03) will become effective from 30 August 2010.
The Commission acknowledges the short time frame for implementation of the REES Code amendments and the changes to retailers’ systems, activity forms and other records that will subsequently be required. The Commission will apply a ‘grace period’ of two months to allow retailers sufficient time to make the required updates. From 30 October 2010 it is expected that all retailers will be able to demonstrate compliance with the updated REES Code requirements.
Publications
