Permanent ban for energy efficiency company that falsified claims, misled regulator

Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has permanently suspended Phenix Trading under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, meaning that the company can no longer create renewable energy certificates.

The CER permanently suspended the registration of Phenix Trading on March 5 after deeming the company was no longer a “fit and proper person for the purposes” of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, which established the country’s renewable energy target and requires electricity wholesalers to buy certificates from renewable sources.

The decision follows regulatory actions already taken by state regulators in New South Wales and Victoria against Phenix Trading and its participation in the respective state energy efficiency schemes.

New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) removed Phenix Trading from the state’s Energy Security Safeguard schemes in mid-2025 for “exaggerating the energy efficiency of freezers it installed in businesses throughout NSW and misleading regulators.”

Similarly, in September, Victoria’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) suspended Phenix Trading, under its subsidiary LEDSaves, from participating in the Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) scheme for falsely claiming to have completed weather sealing and low-flow shower rose installations.

“Adverse findings relating to a participant’s compliance with other relevant schemes or laws are considered by the CER in its fit and proper person assessments,” said the CER in its announcement on Tuesday.

“Such findings may raise concerns about a participant’s ability and commitment to comply with regulatory requirements.

“Registered persons play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and are expected to operate in compliance with their obligations under State or Territory energy efficiency schemes.

“We will continue to take action where conduct undermines confidence in the SRES.”

Registered agents participating in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme are subject to obligations and responsibilities set out in the CER’s registered agents guidance. Similarly, the CER’s compliance policy outlines the regulator’s approach to education, monitoring, and enforcement activities. Information on registered agents, including those currently suspended, can be found by searching registered persons in the REC Registry.