July 2025
Metimur Certificate & Energy Efficiency newsletter
- New Simplified PBA Methods Released 20 June 2025!
- BREAKING NEWS! – Commercial HWS ≤700L BANNED from VEU
- Victorian Hot Water Rebate Boost – Higher Rebate for Locally Made Products
- 22,792 VEECs Refused Over Unqualified Lighting Designer
- ESS Scandal: Phenix Accreditations Cancelled After Fraud Uncovered
- Solar VIC: New Requirements from 1 September
- Certificate Spot Prices
New Simplified PBA Methods Released 20 June 2025!
Five New Simplified Project-Based Methods Released
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has released Version 8.0 of the Measurement and Verification (M&V) Specifications, introducing five new simplified methods to streamline certificate creation under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.
These methods are designed to support more energy upgrade projects, particularly fuel-switching and smaller installations, by reducing modelling complexity and audit burden.
New Methods:
- Electrification Direct Measurement Method
No gas baseline required — VEECs are based on thermal load delivered and electricity use of the new heat pump system. - Direct Measurement of Solar PV
Allows behind-the-meter solar to be credited via metered generation output. - Retrofit Isolation – Non-Seasonal Motors
Simplified Option B method for motors not affected by seasonal variation. - Weather-Normalised Whole-of-Site Electricity
For electricity reduction projects using defined modelling and standardised weather data. - Weather-Normalised Whole-of-Site Gas
Equivalent method for gas reduction projects with seasonal variability.
Implementation Still Pending
While these new methods are legally in force, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) has not yet released updated:
- Application and reporting templates
- Project Plan/Impact Report forms
- Approval and audit procedures
Until this occurs, no VEECs can yet be created under the new methods. There is currently no confirmed launch date for ESC implementation.
Metimur Can Help
Metimur has developed:
- A new simplified competitive pricing structure for each of the new methods
- Tools to assess which method best suits your project
- Early modelling of VEEC potential using the simplified specifications
If you’re planning a fuel switch or solar project, contact us to understand the best trade-off between complexity, timing and certificate value.
For the new specifications:
DEECA – VEU Project-Based Activities
Presentation Recap: Electrification of Aquatic Centres
- Highlighted Victoria’s aquatic centre electrification success from Round 1 of the $50 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund (CEUF) — projects that can now all be co-funded through the revamped and simplified VEU Project-Based Assessment (PBA) method.
- Explained the new “Gas to Heat Pump” Electrification method, which removes the need for a gas baseline and simplifies compliance — while sacrificing some VEECs that would otherwise be captured through thermal envelope upgrades under the traditional Full M&V method.
- Shared a worked example of a typical full electrification retrofit, showing how one project achieved 7,600 VEECs — equating to over $660,000 in rebates at current market prices.
BREAKING NEWS! – Commercial HWS ≤700L BANNED from VEU FROM 25th July!
Activity 44 Overhauled – DELAYED to 25 July
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has delivered a major blow to commercial heat pump projects using domestic-sized systems — <700L units will no longer be eligible under Activity 44 from 11 July 2025.
This move is a direct response to widespread misuse of the activity and aims to realign it with its original policy intent: supporting genuinely commercial-scale upgrades.
What’s Changing?
- All systems with <700L insulated storage are banned under Activity 44 from 11 July.
- Manifolded tanks must now meet an average volume >700L.
- New VEEC scaling for systems <10kW thermal capacity (reduced VEEC creation).
- Minimum customer co-payment increased from $200 to $1,000.
- DEECA is end-dating ineligible products in the Registry this week.
CRITICAL DEADLINE: 24 JULY 2025
If your system is <700L, it MUST be fully installed and commissioned by 24 July — or it will generate zero VEECs.
There is no grace period. Installations even one day late will not be eligible under Activity 44.
6–8 Week Submission Freeze
The VEU Registry will block all new submissions for Activity 44 upgrades completed on or after 11 July for up to two months while system updates are implemented.
No impact for submissions of jobs completed on or before 10 July, which will remain under the previous rules.
Market Reaction – VEEC Spot Soars
Markets moved hard on the announcement, and VEECs are now trading at $104–106 — up from $94 just days ago.
The surge reflects:
- Anticipated collapse in VEEC creation from Activity 44,
- A submission blackout window,
- And reduced future eligibility for small-scale commercial installs.
Any remaining eligible stock and install capacity before 10 July is now at a premium.
Why the Crackdown?
DEECA’s own data showed:
- Smaller tank sizes being installed under Activity 44 than in residential activities,
- Triple-registration of systems under 1D, 3C, and 44,
- And a wave of complaints, compliance issues, and over-incentivisation.
The activity had become a loophole for discounting small residential units into small businesses, distorting the intent and emissions savings of the program.
What You Need to Do
- Fast-track any install of <700L HPWHs — they must be commissioned by 10 July.
- Shift smaller-scale projects to Activities 1D or 3C, which still allow <700L units in business or residential settings.
- Plan for a leaner Activity 44 pipeline and adjust your VEEC forecasts accordingly.
Need help? Contact Metimur Energy at info@metimurenergy.com.au for product guidance, compliance checks, or strategy support.
Victorian Hot Water Rebate Boost – Higher Rebate for Locally Made Products – AUSSIE PRODUCTS LIST RELEASED
UPDATE: Solar VIC now published following lists:
- Product lists for our program – for industry
- Products eligible for the locally made incentive – for consumers
From 1 July 2025, Solar Victoria will increase the VEU hot water rebate from $1,000 to $1,400 for systems that are locally made or assembled.
However, no products have yet been disclosed as eligible. Solar Victoria has stated:
“From 1 July, we will progressively identify eligible locally made products…”
This means the list of qualifying systems will only begin to appear from next Tuesday, and more will follow as manufacturers apply.
Key points:
The $1,400 rebate will only apply to systems:
Listed on the Solar Victoria product list,
Tagged as meeting local content criteria, and
Quoted and installed on or after 1 July 2025.
“Locally made” means at least 50% of components are manufactured or assembled in Australia.
The existing $1,000 rebate remains available for other eligible hot water systems.
Customers with pre–1 July quotes may request cancellation and re-quote to access the new rebate once eligible products are listed.
Metimur Energy will continue to monitor the product list closely and work with our partners to help customers take advantage of the higher rebate as qualifying systems become available.
Full Solar VIC email here.
22,792 VEECs Refused Over Unqualified Lighting Designer
1 May 2025 – ESC Enforcement Action Against MYOM Australia
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has refused registration of 22,792 VEECs—valued at over $2.2 million—after MYOM Australia Pty Ltd (trading as MYOM Australia) allegedly breached VEU rules by using an unqualified lighting designer on 250 non-building based lighting upgrades.
Under the VEU program, designers preparing lighting designs for these upgrades must hold an approved qualification from the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand (IESANZ). MYOM’s designer reportedly did not meet this requirement.
Metimur has always had a robust process in place to verify any lighting designer we recommend—or who works on a client’s project—is properly accredited. This includes checking IESANZ membership status online or confirming directly with the designer if credentials are not publicly listed.
While MYOM has since committed to using only qualified designers, this incident underscores the importance of rigorous compliance with program rules. The ESC has issued a formal warning and reminded all Accredited Persons (APs) that they are responsible for ensuring all third-party contributors meet scheme requirements.
ESS Scandal: Phenix Accreditations Cancelled After Fraud Uncovered
IPART has cancelled the accreditations of Phenix Trading Pty Ltd (Phenix) and refused registration of 618,555 Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) – worth an estimated $10 million – after discovering serious misconduct under the NSW Energy Security Safeguard schemes.
A trusted industry partner of Metimur has confirmed this action followed a three-year investigation sparked by irregularities in GEMS registration performance data.
This serves as a timely reminder to equipment suppliers of energy consuming products that independent Australian based NATA certified test laboratories can be engaged by Regulators to verify energy efficiency claims particularly refrigerated display cabinets, air conditioners, and heat pumps through product testing.
IPART’s investigation uncovered the following:
- The investigation revealed that Phenix had improperly created ESCs related to its sales of freezers with 4 glass display sides.
- Phenix relied on a falsified test report with exaggerated energy efficiency claims when creating Energy Savings Certificates.
- Phenix admitted to IPART that it provided false information to GEMS in response to a requirement to produce a freezer for testing when Phenix falsely claimed it had none of the freezers left in stock to produce for testing.
- Phenix sold around 2,000 of the freezers after it claimed it had none left in stock.
- Phenix used another company to apply for and obtain a new GEMS registration for a freezer and then re-labelled around 2,000 freezers, which were not registered, to create the impression that the re-labelled freezers complied with the new registration.
- Phenix informed IPART that a freezer had been tested by an SGS and Intertek accredited laboratory when in fact the freezer was not tested.
This case is now progressing beyond state compliance enforcement, with federal proceedings the next step and potential jail time.
Read Compliance Notice 02/2025 from IPART:
Accreditation Cancelled and Certificates Refused
At Metimur, we commend the integrity and perseverance of our partners and remain committed to ensuring product legitimacy and scheme credibility through independent verification and robust compliance processes.
Accreditation Cancelled and Certificates Refused
At Metimur, we commend the integrity and perseverance of our partners and remain committed to ensuring product legitimacy and scheme credibility through independent verification and robust compliance processes.
Solar VIC: New Requirements from 1 September
Solar Victoria has released the 2025–26 Notice to Market, which will take effect from 1 July 2025, with two important new mandatory requirements commencing from 1 September 2025.
As always, Metimur is across these changes and ready to assist our partners in staying compliant and ahead of the curve.
New Mandatory Requirements (from 1 September 2025):
Expanded product warranty: Now includes labour across all systems under the Solar Homes Program.
Plumber training: New plumbers entering the program must have completed training in the design and installation of heat pump hot water systems.
These new rules further strengthen consumer protections and ensure quality installations.
Additional Updates:
Eight new recommendations have been added to support better product selection, installer training, and system performance.
Several existing provisions have been clarified to reduce ambiguity and support compliance.
We recommend reading the summary of changes in Section 1.2 of the Notice to Market available on Solar Victoria’s website.
Please note: the 2024–25 Notice to Market remains in effect until 30 June 2025.
Certificate spot prices update
Here are the CORE markets spot price graphs from today 11 June, with some quick comments on the recent developments:
- VIC VEECs the spot price was trading around $93-94 until they pulled the plug on Commercial Hot Water yesterday and now trading around $104, off the chart! During Thursday the VEEC started to trade down significantly, indicating VEUs shock decision first created some panic buying. Yesterday the market closed down at $99.50 and today there has been one spot buy at $98.
- NSW ESC continued strengthening even if still a bit volatile under limited volumes and market unsure of what the Commercial lighting shut down will mean end of the year.
- NSW PRC after BESS1 was pulled the PRC price has been strengthening even if volatile as unsure how much volume the boosted BESS2 will create with the federal battery rebate.
A reminder that we have our filterable table of all the rebate activities we can assist with across the country, from Solar VEECs and Solar VIC to NSW PRC, ESCs and federal STCs and we try to keep it up date as new activities are announced while others expire:
Please let us know if you notice any rebates missing from the table.
Stay Connected! For more information and updates, visit our website or contact us at info@metimur.com.
View our past newsletters here: https://metimurenergy.com.au/news/
Thank you for being a part of the Metimur community. Taking the pain out of certificate creation and maximising returns!
Best Regards,
The Metimur Team
