Consultation: Proposed Program Rule Changes

GreenPower is seeking feedback on changes to the Program Rules for GreenPower renewable electricity which are proposed to take effect from 1 July 2025. 

The changes propose to recognise mandatory investments in large-scale renewables in consumption-based GreenPower products. Most electricity consumers* are required to make mandatory investments in renewables through the Renewable Energy Target charges included in electricity bills. These investments are quantified by the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP).

The proposed changes aim to:

  • increase consumer confidence in renewable electricity products by better reflecting the overall percentage of renewable electricity that customers are purchasing when they purchase GreenPower
  • achieve greater alignment with market-based carbon accounting methods
  • ensure GreenPower continues to align with international and national sustainability frameworks

Currently, GreenPower products are fully additional to the Australian Government’s mandatory Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET). The 2022 GreenPower Program Review sought feedback on options to recognise the RPP. Since 2023, GreenPower has been further consulting with a range of stakeholders to develop these draft rule changes. This includes recent workshops and feedback from GreenPower Providers, and consultation with other sustainability programs and initiatives.

Key changes proposed include:

  • recognising the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP)* in consumption-based GreenPower product percentages.
  • streamlining the products that can be offered to residential and SME customers by GreenPower Providers to 3 standard offerings of 50%, 75% and 100% renewable electricity with GreenPower. 
  • increasing the minimum renewable electricity requirement to 50% for consumption-based GreenPower products for residential, small-medium enterprises and large customers, except in the ACT. 
  • limiting the types of GreenPower products that can be sold in the ACT due to the very high level of mandatory renewables in the ACT. 
  • increasing the minimum percentage requirement for block-based products to the equivalent (in kWh) of 50% of the average household’s annual electricity consumption of 6,200 kWh/year.
  • clear transitional processes to make it easy to implement and understand these proposed rule changes.

*except for LRET-exempt entities. LRET-exempt activities are not eligible to claim the RPP as they have not invested in large-scale renewable generation through the LRET.

Downloads

Have your say

GreenPower is seeking feedback on these proposed program rule changes. If you wish to provide feedback, please email your submission to [email protected]. 

Submissions close Friday 25 October 2024. 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].