The Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) started on 1 January 2013. It sets an Australian Capital Territory (ACT)–wide energy savings target, legislated obligations and options for ACT electricity retailers to meet an individual ‘retailer energy savings obligation’. These activities are determined by the Minister for the Environment and must be carried out in accordance with codes of practice approved by the EEIS Administrator. Retailers incur penalties if they do not meet their targets.
A 2014 review of the EEIS found that it had achieved its four objectives:
- to encourage the efficient use of energy
- to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with stationary energy use
- to reduce household and business energy use and costs
- to increase opportunities for priority (low-income) households in the ACT to reduce energy use and costs.
By mid-2015, the EEIS had:
- delivered energy savings in more than 50 000 Canberra households, of which nearly 30% are priority households
- delivered an average savings of $1600 in participating households during the life of energy-saving items, or $318 per year
- installed more than 550 000 energy-saving items, saving about 440 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions; this includes the replacement and recycling of more than 465 000 incandescent light globes with energy-efficient light globes
- installed more than 43 000 door seals to keep hot air inside during winter and out during summer
- installed more than 85 000 stand-by power controllers, preventing power wastage by equipment left on when not in use
- retired and recycled more than 1500 old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers
- created 35 full-time equivalent private sector jobs, with this number expected to grow.
The ACT Government has extended the EEIS to run until 2020. This recognises the significant success of the EEIS to date, and the potential that remains to implement cost-effective energy savings in ACT households and businesses. The key elements of the EEIS extension are to:
- maintain momentum on ambitious, but achievable, targets for low-cost electricity and gas; households and businesses should see a decrease in their energy bills as a result of energy efficiency improvements
- deliver economic benefits of around $40 million to the ACT economy, and $106 million to householders
- give even greater certainty to energy retailers about their obligations under the scheme
- support competition and business opportunities by harmonising the ACT system with those of other jurisdictions.
ActewAGL electrician installing a downlight. Photo: with permission of ActewAGL
Source: http://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/energy_efficiency_improvement_scheme_eeis