Market Update | 19 July

• LED to LED Upgrades are eligible under the non-building based lighting method in Victoria
• GEMS Regulator cancelled 14 Refrigerated Display Cabinet products
• Coalition of Australia’s Largest Businesses Call for Clean Energy

GEMS Regulator Cancelled 14 Refrigerated Cabinet Products.

On May 31, 2024, the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) regulator cancelled the registrations of 14 refrigerated cabinet products. These products can no longer be sold or supplied in Australia.

This information was published in a GEMS media release on 5 July 2024. The manufacturer of these cabinets was required to submit two products for testing to verify their energy efficiency claims. Instead of undergoing testing, they chose to cancel all 14 product registrations. This means these specific models are no longer approved for sale in Australia and should not be installed under state-based certificate programs. The South Australian government advised its Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) participants on 15 July of the aforementioned GEMS removals and reminded participants that ‘as per the REPS Refrigerated Display Cabinet Specifications (RDC1), it is important to check if the products being installed is listed on the GEMS register of currently approved products. Brands with impacted models include Frostmate, Glacier, Snow White, Phoenix Refrigeration & Aquarius.

VEU Clarified LED to LED Upgrades are Eligible under the Non-Building Based Commercial Lighting Method.

The Victorian regulator provided a clarification regarding eligibility under the Non-Building Based Commercial Lighting Method following a recent update the Activity Guides. The replacement of an existing LED lamp with a higher-efficiency, approved LED lamp is confirmed to be approved under the program for outdoor areas.

Where outdoor spaces such as car parks, sporting fields and external building lighting were upgraded a number of years ago this provides a positive opportunity for businesses to harness newer, higher efficiency technology. The method encourages quality installations through mandating that a lighting design meeting the appropriate standard must be completed prior to installation, allowing consumers peace of mind that their service levels will be met.

The spaces eligible for upgrade under the method are;

• • private road
  • public or outdoor space
  • open air carpark
  • sports field.

Coalition of Australia’s Largest Businesses Call for Clean Energy.

A coalition of major Australian businesses, including those in energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and mining, are urging the government to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The group issued a joint statement prior to meeting Energy Ministers today stressing the importance of Australia having, cheap, reliable, renewable energy. The statement was signed by influential business groups such as the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Energy Council, the Australian Steel Institute, and the National Farmers Federation. With the looming closure of coal-fired power stations, the group emphasised the need for substantial investment in renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and energy storage, noting the 2030 climate targets as “critical foundations” for the needed investment in the energy transition.

To achieve this, members stressed the importance of clear and consistent Government policies. Major corporations like Woodside Energy and Rio Tinto have echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for policy certainty to attract the necessary investment. A spokesperson from Rio Tinto commented “Ensuring that reliable and economic low-cost firmed renewables are available to be contracted this decade is critical to both reducing our emissions and the long-term future of our operations,” sending a clear message of support from big business behind the current push Australia is seeing in renewable energy.

At Ecovantage, we consistently analyse market activity, policy changes, consultation releases, and creation rates in conjunction with wider landscape activity. This allows us to keep our clients at the forefront of all relevant changes, and to leverage the advantage that this presents. Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any general or project-specific questions.