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Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator

Increasing Australia's renewable electricity generation

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Regulation amendments

Nineteenth amendment round - Australian Greenhouse Office - Consequential changes

The Australian Greenhouse Office commenced the nineteenth amendment round (Round 19) during 2006 - 2007. The Round 19 Amendment Regulations consisted of two parts that were registered at different times.

The first amendment was registered on 5 October 2007 and implemented various legislative changes required as a result of the comprehensive review of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 that was completed in 2003.

The second amendment was registered on 5 November 2007 and removed Schedule 7 which identified eligible solar water heaters under the measure. Eligible solar water heaters are now contained in a 'Register of Solar Water Heaters', including Postcode Zones, that is maintained outside the Regulations by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator. Read more about the Register of solar water heaters.

For more information visit the ORER Legislation web page.

Eighteenth amendment round - Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the sixteenth amendment round (Round 18) in September 2007. The Round 18 Amendment Regulations were registered on 28 September 2007. The Round 18 Amendment Regulations set the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2008, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Seventeenth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the seventeenth amendment round (Round 17) on 22 December 2006, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The Round 17 Amendment Regulations were registered on 20 July 2007. Key amendments in Round 17 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers; and
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers.

Sixteenth amendment round - Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the sixteenth amendment round (Round 16) in November 2006. The Round 16 Amendment Regulations were registered on 15 December 2006. The Round 16 Amendment Regulations set the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2007, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Fifteenth amendment round - Australian Greenhouse Office - Policy change

The Australian Greenhouse Office commenced an amendment round (Round 15) to implement legislative changes as required due to the comprehensive review of the Act that was completed in 2003. The Round 15 Amendment Regulations were registered on 21 September 2006. The amendment included a prescribed body with respect to Section 34 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (the Act). This means that the prescribed body is exempt from liability under the Act.

Fourteenth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the fourteenth amendment round (Round 14) on 22 May 2006, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The Round 14 Amendment Regulations were registered on 15th December 2006. Key amendments in Round 14 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers; and
• a provision to allow new solar water heater models to be accredited to AS/NZS 2712:2002 as amended by Standards Australia in September 2005 and AS/NZS 4692:2005 and to provide a more precise definition of the Standards applicable to systems over 700 litres.

Thirteenth amendment round - Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the thirteenth amendment round (Round 13) on 7 November 2005, inviting industry to comment on the proposed amendment. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for the thirteenth amendment round between 7 November 2005 and 7 December 2005. One submission was received. The Round 13 Amendment Regulations were registered on 19 December 2005. The Round 13 Amendment Regulations set the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2006, which establishes the rate of liability, and includes new solar water heater postcodes. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Twelfth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the twelfth amendment round (Round 12) on 1 September 2005, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 12 between 28 January 2006 and 27 February 2006. One submission was received. The Round 12 Amendment Regulations were registered on 2 June 2006. Key amendments in Round 12 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers; and
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers.

Eleventh amendment round - Australian Greenhouse Office - Consequential changes

The Australian Greenhouse Office commenced the eleventh amendment round (Round 11) on 31 August 2005, inviting industry to comment on the proposed amendments. The Australian Greenhouse Office conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 11 between 31 August 2005 and 29 September 2005. A total of 5 submissions were received. The Round 11 Amendment Regulations were registered on 14 November 2005. The amendment implements legislative changes as required due to the comprehensive review of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 that was completed in 2003.

Tenth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the tenth amendment round (Round 10) on 25 February 2005, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 10 between 25 February 2005 and 29 March 2005. A total of 16 submissions were received. The Round 10 Amendment Regulations were registered on 15 November 2005. Key amendments in Round 10 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers;
• reformatting Schedule 7 Part 2 of the Regulations to split the Date column into "Eligible from" and "Eligible to" columns;
• reorganising Schedule 7 Part 2 into two new parts - Part 2A, which includes systems up to and including 700 Litres storage capacity, and Part 20B, which includes systems over 700 Litres storage capacity; and
• minor changes to Regulation 3(3)(a) and Regulations 19 to correctly reference the new Part 2A and Part 2B of Schedule 7 of the Regulations, due to the reorganising of Schedule 7 Part 2.

Ninth amendment round - Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the ninth amendment round (Round 9) on 17 November 2004, inviting industry to comment on the proposed amendment. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for the ninth amendment round between 17 November 2004 and 16 December 2004. Zero submissions were received. The Round 9 Amendment Regulations were registered on 15 February 2005. The Round 9 Amendment Regulations set the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2005, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Eighth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the eighth amendment round (Round 8) on 30 July 2004, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 8 between 3 February 2005 and 4 March 2005. A total of 3 submissions were received. The Round 8 Amendment Regulations were registered on 29 April 2005. Key amendments in Round 8 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers; and
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers.

Seventh amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the sixth amendment round (Round 7) on 27 January 2004, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 7 between 25 June 2004 and 27 July 2004. A total of 8 submissions were received. The Round 7 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 18 November 2004. Key amendments in Round 7 include the:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers;
• the removal of Schedule 4, which outlined renewable energy certificate eligibility for small hydroelectric systems of a set size, replacing it with a new REC calculation methodology;
• the removal of Schedule 6, which outlined renewable energy certificate eligibility for small wind turbines, replacing it with a new REC calculation methodology; and
• the removal of regulation 3 (4) which allowed manufacturers to gain product certification under transitional arrangements.

Sixth amendment round - Solar Water Heater and Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the sixth amendment round (Round 6) in June 2003 inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 6 between 11 October 2003 and 11 November 2003. A total of 3 submissions were received. The Round 6 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 11 December 2003. Key amendments in Round 6 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers;
• the extension of the definition of 'accredited body' to include a body accredited at 31 July 2003 (Item 1 of Schedule 1 and Item 1 of Schedule 2 refer); and
• setting the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2004, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Fifth amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the fifth amendment round (Round 5) in January 2003 inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 5 between 29 March 2003 and 28 April 2003. A total of 2 submissions were received. The Round 5 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 29 May 2003. Key amendments in Round 5 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• the revision or expiry of some previously listed solar water heater models in Schedule 7, from a range of manufacturers;
• clarification of eligibility requirements for claiming RECs after installing eligible solar water heaters; and
• clarification of eligibility requirements for tank capacity greater than 700L solar by inserting a guideline governing heat loss test procedures for system over 630L.

Fourth amendment round - Solar Water Heater and Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the fourth amendment round (Round 4) on 12 October 2002 inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 4 between 26 October 2002 and 27 November 2002. One submission was received. The Round 4 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 20 December 2002. The key amendment in Round 4 involved:

• changes to eligibility requirements and definitions surrounding solar water heaters to provide a period for solar water heater manufactures to gain product and component certification for various solar water heater models listed in the regulations, to the revised Australian Standard by 30 June 2003; and
• setting the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2003, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

Third amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the third amendment round (Round 3) on 17 July 2002, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 3 between 17 July 2002 and 19 August 2002. A total of 6 submissions were received. The Round 3 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 4 October 2002. Key amendments in Round 3 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers; and
• modifications to the eligibility requirements and definitions surrounding solar water heaters and heat pump water heaters to allow for an extension to the period allowed for heat pump water heaters to prove their eligibility to be listed in Schedule 7.

Second amendment round - Solar Water Heater and Renewable Power Percentage

The ORER commenced the second amendment round (Round 2) on 12 January 2002, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 2 between 8 January 2002 and 2 February 2002. A total of 7 submissions were received. The Round 2 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 15 March 2002. Key amendments in Round 2 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• modifications to the eligibility requirements and definitions surrounding solar water heaters, including the provision that RECs are only available for the first installation of a solar water heater; and
• setting the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) for 2002, which establishes the rate of liability. The RPP is set to achieve the interim targets as specified in the legislation.

First amendment round - Solar Water Heater

The ORER commenced the first amendment round (Round 1) on 4 June 2001, inviting solar water heater manufacturers to provide details of additional solar water heaters to be listed in the Regulations. The ORER conducted a mandatory 30-day public consultation period for Round 1 between 5 June 2001 and 6 July 2001. A total of 24 submissions were received. The Round 1 Amendment Regulations were gazetted on 23 August 2001. Key amendments in Round 1 include:

• the inclusion in Schedule 7 of additional solar water heater models from a range of manufacturers;
• modifications to the eligibility requirements and definitions for solar water heaters and small generation units; and
• modifications to the eligibility requirements and definitions for the accreditation of power stations.