Renewable Energy Indicator (REI) FAQs

The Renewable Energy Indicator, or REI is a tool designed to work complementary to the NABERS Energy rating.

The tool allows buildings to:

• stand out for their energy-efficiency and commitment to reach 100% renewable energy;
• measure their individual impact; and
• set targets and track progress toward achieving them.

Every NABERS Energy rating for all building types will include the REI. It is free of charge and provides clear and transparent information on the NABERS rating certificate about the proportion of renewable energy used in the building.

The way the NABERS energy rating is calculated will not change.

Image: Example of NABERS Energy rating certificate. The REI will appear on all NABERS Energy certificates.

• On-site renewable energy generation
• Accredited GreenPower purchases
• Purchase and voluntary surrender of Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)
• State/Territory targets 
• Mandatory LGC surrenders under the Renewable Energy Target (RET).

The inclusion of REI in Energy ratings aims to:

• improve the transparency on renewable energy consumption
• accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources in the building sector
• recognise voluntary LGC surrenders as well as the RET and state/government targets
• accelerate the electrification of the built environment.

Image: Example of energy source breakdown in the NABERS Energy rating report. 

The REI will not impact the way on-site renewable electricity is calculated in NABERS Energy ratings and considered as:

• Consumption: If a building consumes on-site renewable electricity, it will draw less electricity from the grid, and this will improve its rating.
• Generation: If LGCs are created for the on-site renewable electricity, irrespective of them being sold or voluntarily surrendered, the on-site renewable electricity generation (OREG) system will improve the building's energy rating.

NOTE: LGCs are explained under ‘Introduction to Large Scale Generation Certificates’.

On-site renewable energy will be considered in two ways depending on its use:

• Consumption: All on-site renewable electricity consumed by the building will count as renewable electricity in the REI unless LGCs are being sold. 

• Exported: On-site renewable electricity that is exported to the grid does not count towards the REI.

Note: If, however, LGCs are being created and voluntarily surrendered for the exported electricity, the LGCs can be included and will count as renewable electricity in the REI.

Currently, there is no availability of renewable gas for buildings, and no trading mechanism for renewable gas certificates.

In the coming years, if a scheme for renewable gas trading is set up, and the gas source is recognised as renewable, NABERS will consider accepting this as part of the REI.

Yes, methodologies will align. In development, we made sure that the calculations for the REI and Climate Active were identical. This means you will get the same amount of renewable energy recognition for both the REI and carbon neutral certification (using the market-based method).

No, carbon offsets are not able to be used to improve your REI as they do not represent renewable energy.

This is an important consideration when choosing an electricity plan from your electricity provider. Carbon neutral electricity is not sourced from a renewable electricity generator, it is grid electricity for which the emissions have been cancelled using carbon offsets.

A Large-scale Generation Certificate, or LGC is a renewable electricity certificate created by a renewable energy generator for every megawatt-hour of electricity injected into the grid.

These certificates are the mechanism used in Australia to purchase offsite renewable electricity.

The Renewable Energy Target, or RET is a Federal requirement for electricity retailers to surrender a percentage of LGCs every year ensuring that a certain amount of renewable electricity is injected into the grid.

This is done using LGCs that the electricity provider purchases and surrenders on behalf of their customers.

Additional resources visit The Renewable Energy Target explained on the Australian Government, Clean Energy Regulator site.

Yes, vintage restrictions are recognised for voluntary surrender in the REI, but only LGCs which are created by a renewable energy generator less than 36 months prior to the end of the rating period are accepted.

NABERS is looking into other certification options, such as the Federal government's Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) scheme. NABERS will consult with stakeholders prior to making any changes.

The REI is free of charge and will be included in every NABERS Energy rating.

Yes, results will display in the ‘Find a current rating’ page you will be able to see the REI result. You'll also be able to drill down further into the detail - for example, to see how much electricity is coming from on-site renewable generators.

When the REI is launched, the NABERS Energy with GreenPower rating result will only appear in the NABERS Energy rating report. It will no longer appear on the NABERS certificate.

The NABERS Energy with GreenPower rating will continue to be displayed on the rating report for a transition period of two years. After the transition period it will cease to be calculated and displayed on the rating report.

Yes, REI results will be included as a new feature for future Sustainable Portfolio Index reports.

As the REI is in its early stages of release, not all buildings will have had a chance to submit their data in time for the SPI 2023. The inclusion of REI is currently in development and will feature in the SPI 2024 edition once REI has been successfully launched.