New residential energy efficiency scheme for South Australia

The South Australian Government has announced the new Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) which will commence from 1 January 2009. Under the REES energy retailers operating in South Australia are required to achieve targets for:

• Delivering energy audits to low income households; and
• Implementing energy efficiency improvements in households, such as ceiling insulation, draught proofing and more efficient appliances. A proportion of these must be delivered to low income households.

All South Australian households will be able to participate in the scheme. For many this is likely to be at little or no cost as energy retailers are expected to offer households incentives to adopt energy saving measures. Householders will be able to take up incentives offered by any retailer. The Government has started a consultation process with energy retailers and other stakeholders to achieve the most effective implementation of the REES.