Published on - 1 Aug 2022
Council finalised the governance letter to be sent to the CEC regarding the CEC’s appointment as Administrator and Steward of the NETCC.
Council provided feedback on the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel (the Panel).
It was confirmed that the Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel would be reviewed as part of the independent review of the NETCC program every three years.
Council agreed that there should be a balance of industry and consumer representatives on the panel.
Council discussed the resourcing of the Panel and appropriate procedures for managing conflicts of interest for panel members, particularly for industry representatives. It was confirmed that Council is responsible for appointing members to the Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel.
Council agreed that the NETCC website would an appropriate platform for publishing a call for expressions of interest from interested individuals with suitable experience. A position description and the TOR will accompany the advertisement.
Council noted the resignation of the Smart Energy Council (SEC) representatives as Council members. Council agreed to seek replacement industry representation from appropriate bodies to ensure the NETCC program has appropriate industry oversight.
Council will write to senior government contacts to provide a progress update on the development and launch of the NETCC program. Given the frequency of staffing changes in government departments, it was agreed that it would be important to remind relevant stakeholders that the NETCC program has been developed following a request from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council.
While the responsibility for appointing the NETCC finance delegate sits with the Administrator, the Terms of Reference for the position were discussed and noted by Council.
Council agreed that the eligibility criteria for the NETCC finance delegate position was appropriate. It was suggested that the call for expressions of interest in the finance delegate position should also be published on the NETCC website.
The CEC provided a progress update on the development of the digital platforms which will support the NETCC program.
The NETCC website www.newenergytech.org.au launched on 1 July 2022. In its initial launch phase, the website will aim to keep government stakeholders, Approved Solar Retailers, new energy tech providers, and finance providers up to date on what the NETCC program is, what it seeks to achieve, the transition process, and what they can expect once the program launches. Email bulletins to Approved Solar Retailers, CEC Members and NETCC subscribers were also circulated to inform stakeholders of the website launch. The CEC noted the positive engagement received from these stakeholders to date, particularly from non-ASR NET providers.
NETCC Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts have also been launched.
On 19-20 July 2022 the NETCC program will have a small booth at the Energy Next conference in Sydney. Flyers, pens and transition timelines will be handed out to help promote the program. CEC staff will monitor the booth to answer any queries from interested stakeholders.
An Approved Seller search tool is currently under construction. This map will be displayed within the NETCC website upon launch and will allow consumers to easily locate Approved Sellers in their area and verify their participation in the NETCC program.
The Energy Charter raised an issue with Council about solar retailers promoting oversized systems to consumers, particularly in regional areas. Council agreed that if the concerns are largely related to regional areas, the issue may be better addressed at a local level. It was noted that like the existing Solar Retailer Code of Conduct, the NETCC program appropriately places responsibility on retailers for ensuring the responsible advertising, quoting and delivery of systems. Ensuring retailers are aware of their responsibilities to consumers will help to encourage accountability regarding this issue.
Council agreed to a proposed webinar to keep stakeholders up to date on developments to the NETCC program, what it aims to achieve and how it will operate. The webinar should be NETCC branded and facilitated by Council, and include a NETCC briefing and a moderated Q&A session.
Council was advised that there is a Distributed Energy Leadership Forum (DELF) meeting on 18 July 2022 at which challenges faced by the Approved Solar Retailer program will be discussed. Council noted that these challenges to the program may be relevant to the NETCC program, and asked for a report from the meeting.
Next Meeting: 26 August 2022
