Relevant entities

Under the Victorian Renewable Energy Act 2006 (the Act), persons making scheme acquisitions of electricity have a legal liability to support renewable energy electricity generation in Victoria by acquiring Victorian renewable energy certificates (VRECs). These persons, known as relevant entities, demonstrate compliance to the Act by surrendering VRECs to the Commission annually between 1 January and 30 April for the previous calendar year in proportion to their acquisitions of electricity.

In most cases, scheme acquisitions are made by large purchasers of electricity, such as electricity retailers or big electricity generation companies. There are two types of scheme acquisitions:

  • standard scheme acquisitions (generally speaking, person acquiring electricity from NEMMCO for use in Victoria); and
  • notional scheme acquisitions (person generating electricity for use by them in Victoria).

Sections 54 and 55 of the Act provide details about scheme acquisitions. Actual and potential relevant entities are encouraged to review these sections and to seek independent legal advice on liabilities under the Act where required.

An acquisition may be excluded by Order in Council published in the Government Gazette. However, exclusions are granted on a case by case basis and it is the responsibility of the relevant entity to apply for an exclusion to the responsible minister, demonstrating reasons for the exclusion.  An Order in Council dated 24 October 2006 has excluded generation of electricity by a person for use by them from a device that generates no more than 40MWh of electricity in a year. 


» Renewable power percentage

» VRET account

» Annual energy acquisition statement

» Shortfall statement

» Relevant entities - frequently asked questions