• • Federal battery scheme changes looming on the horizon

  • Electrification charging ahead in NSW

  • Data centre growth posing new challenges

  • LGCs show minor gains following an extended period of marked declines

  • VEECs on the up again

  • ESCs  marginally higher as registrations fall

  • PRCs steady following last week’s large increase

  • ACCUs edge back

  • STCs nudge forwards despite large surplus

Federal battery scheme changes just weeks away.

The Smart Energy Council (SEC) is urging solar retailers and installers to start preparing for changes to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP), as per new Clean Energy Regulator (CER) guidance, which comes into effect from May 1, 2026.

The changes involve tiered STCs based on battery size, with the greatest impact on systems over 14kWh. The CER is simultaneously increasing its focus on compliance, consumer protection, and accountability.

The CER’s priority areas include: delivering on commitments (accurate timelines/quotes), transparency (clear contract terms for timeline shifts), and maintaining safety standards (limit of two installations per day, strict compliance).

Participants under the are encouraged to review the full CER update.

Electrification charging ahead in NSW.

NSW is accelerating electrification through the Gas Decarbonisation Roadmap and Consumer Energy Strategy, with the state government’s ESS potentially focusing more on this. This shift is driven by lower running costs for efficient electric appliances, rising gas prices, AEMO’s forecast of gas supply shortfalls by 2028, and the need to reduce residential Scope 1 emissions.

A key concern is ensuring electrification doesn’t strain the electricity grid, which already faces new demand pressures from EVs and data centres. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis’ (IEEFA’s) submission to the ESS reform suggested strategies to reduce residential gas use and achieve a net reduction in electricity demand.

IEEFA sees opportunities to expand the PDRS with activities that will lower consumer costs and manage both summer and winter peak demand. They are also supportive of better access to the ESS and PDRS for disadvantaged households, renters, and apartment dwellers.

Data centre growth prompting changes to cooling methods.

A recent article by IT Brief Australia, suggests that while Australia’s data centre market is booming, driven by growth in cloud and AI, this is creating a major challenge: how to achieve greater computing density (densification) without increasing the environmental footprint (decarbonisation).

Data centres already account for 5% of national electricity use, and this is expected to rise to 8% by 2030.

Escalating environmental regulations and investor pressure require emissions reduction across Scope 1, 2, and 3. The article suggests the solution lies in advanced thermal strategies like liquid cooling systems, which are up to 3,000 times more thermally efficient than air and can manage high-density heat loads.

Success requires designing for both performance and sustainability simultaneously. Operators who are able to integrate advanced cooling and emissions-conscious design from the outset will help lead Australia’s digital future by solving the dual imperatives of density and decarbonisation.

RAA pushes for energy efficiency ratings for SA homes.

The RAA is urging the South Australian Government to mandate the disclosure of energy efficiency ratings for all homes when they are sold or leased. This call comes as 70% of SA’s housing stock predates the minimum efficiency standards introduced in 2003.

RAA CEO Nick Reade highlighted that while new homes must achieve a 7-star rating, the average existing Australian home is only 1.7 stars, which is estimated to cost households an additional $2,000 on their annual heating and cooling costs.

The lack of efficiency information impacts renters, who cannot undertake upgrades, and landlords, who currently lack incentives to invest in improvements. Buyers and renters typically receive no energy efficiency data, even with standard building inspections.

The RAA is also recommending that governments explore additional measures, such as requiring landlords to insulate rental properties and upgrade old appliances. While supporting the Federal Government’s zero-interest loan scheme, they advocate for further financial support, such as instant asset write-offs.

Mr. Reade stressed that SA’s ageing, poorly insulated housing stock results in high energy bills and unsafe indoor temperatures.

Ecovantage has been a strong advocate for the continuation of the SA government’s Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS), which over the past 5 years has provided financial incentives for SA residents to improve the efficiency of their homes, including insulation, hot water and air-conditioning upgrades.

Weekly Market Update | 16-20 March 2026

Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)

After some early falls, which saw the LGC spot price slip back as low as $3.00, the spot experienced some positive gains – with two 15k parcels trading back at $3.30 on Tuesday, which set a benchmark for the rest of the week.

On the forward markets there were also some minor gains across Cal 26 (up $0.35 to $3.75), Cal 27 (up $0.20 to $3.50) and Cal 28 (up $0.20 to $3.00).

However these gains pale into insignificance in the context of the collapse in the LGCs price, which has seen the spot price fall by 86% over the past 12 months.

Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs)

Following last week’s minor fall, the VEEC market rebounded this week  driven by relatively heavier trading during the second half of the week. On Wednesday 111k VEECs were traded – which saw the spot reach as high as $84.00, before settling back to $83.75 the following day. This still represented a gain of $1.60 or 2% across the week. Volumes were healthier, with 224,000 certificates trading – a 36% increase vs last week.

There were also positive gains on the forward markets, with April and May ’26 vintages both rising to $84.00 off the back of multiple low volume trades. Small parcels of 5k also saw July and August ’26 both round off the week higher at $83.50.

Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs)

ESC registrations fell yet again this week with just 34,082 certificates hitting the registry – less than half the volume of the previous week. Two thirds of these certificates were under the Commercial Lighting Method, with most of the balance (23%) made up by registration under the HEER scheme.

Off the back of relatively light trading, the spot price saw a minor upwards movement, finishing the week at $23.00 flat, for a gain of $0.10 across the week. 

The forward markets were also quiet, the main trades occurring at the beginning of the week. This saw a 20k parcel in June ’26 exchanging at $23.10 – a decline of $0.50 on its previous position, and a 25K parcel in September ’26 trading at $23.80 – which was down by $2.10 on its previous position.

Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs)

Following last week’s significant jump in the PRC spot price, which saw the price rise by 8% to $3.20, the latest trading week was quiet and stable.

On Monday the spot edged up to a new high of $3.25 on the back of multiple small parcels, before returning back to $3.20 later in the week.

The forward markets also saw some gains with three 50k strip trades across July, August  and September ’26 all up by more than 10% to $3.30. A further 50K traded in November ’26, also at $3.30.

Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs)

On the ACCU markets the generic spot, No Avoided Deforestation (No Ad) Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) and all edged back slightly to close respectively at $36.70 (down $0.05), $36.50 (down $0.35) and $36.60 (down $0.25), respectively.

The bulk of activity was across the generic spot, with 332k certificates trading across the week.

In contrast the forward markets and method specific markets did not see any activity.

Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

Despite the STC clearing house surplus currently standing at more than 9 million certificates, the STC spot price showed some positive momentum during a relatively light trading week. 

The spot market was most active on Tuesday, with a 50K parcel nudging the price up by $0.02 to $39.62. This was closely followed by multiple parcels totalling a further 55k certificates trading up at $39.65, where it remained for the rest of the week.

The forward markets were also relatively quiet. The latest period commenced with three 10k parcels in each of January, February and March 2027 at $39.50. There were just two other trades across the week – on Monday 20k in July ’26 at a steady $39.65, and on Tuesday a large parcel of 100k at $39.62 – a slight gain of $0.02 on the previous trade in this vintage.

Certificates spot prices & graphs available at Market Update >

At Ecovantage, we consistently analyse market activity, policy changes, consultation releases, and creation rates in conjunction with wider landscape activity. This allows us to keep our clients at the forefront of all relevant changes, and to leverage the advantage that this presents. Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any general or project-specific questions.