Queensland Gas Scheme

Gas electricity certificates

In this guide:

A Gas Electricity Certificate (GEC) is an electronic certificate created by accredited generators for each whole megawatt-hour (MWh) of eligible gas-fired electricity generated. GECs are a mechanism for providing an incentive to the power stations to generate electricity using eligible fuels. The accredited parties can trade GECs with other registered scheme participants through the GEC market.

Liable parties will source GECs from the GEC market (or in some cases create them themselves) and surrender them to the regulator to meet their annual GEC liability.

Creating GECs

Only accredited generators for accredited power stations may create GECs. A GEC may be created only if the month in which the relevant electricity was generated was no more than 12 months before creation of the GEC.

Also, GECs cannot be created for eligible gas-fired electricity if a certificate has been created in relation to the generation of the electricity under a corresponding law of the Commonwealth or of another state, the purposes of which include the promotion of the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Validating GECs

When an accredited generator creates a GEC, they are required to pay the regulator the appropriate fee. The regulator will undertake a validation check to determine whether the GEC was validly created. If the regulator determines that a GEC has been validly created, the regulator will electronically register the GEC and give the accredited generator notice of the registration.

A GEC takes effect and continues to be in force only if it has been registered by the regulator.

For any registered GEC, the accredited generator that created it becomes its registered owner.

If the regulator determines that a GEC was not validly created, the accredited generator will be given an information notice about the decision.

The validation check is undertaken as soon as practicable after a GEC is created so that there is minimal delay between creation and registration.

Registration may also occur automatically in a way approved by the regulator.

Expiry of GECs

A GEC expires at the end of the second year after its vintage year. For example, a GEC registered on 1 May 2008 (a 2008 vintage) expires at the end of 2010. A registered GEC ceases to be in force if it is surrendered or cancelled. A registered GEC also has no validity during any period in which it is suspended.

Queensland Usage Factors

A Gas Electricity Certificate (GEC) can be created by accredited generators for each whole megawatt-hour of eligible gas-fired electricity generated. To be eligible, the electricity generation must support the electricity load of Queensland and not the electricity load of another state.

The Queensland Usage Factor (QUF) estimates the proportion of an accredited power station's output that supports Queensland's electricity load. Annual QUFs are determined by transmission zone and fixed by gazette notice for each financial year.

The following documents contain information on annual QUFs:

Key contacts

For further information on the Queensland Gas Scheme contact:

Manager
Queensland Gas Scheme
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
PO Box 15216
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Phone: (07) 3227 7048
Email: queenslandgasscheme@dme.qld.gov.au (20MB limit applies to incoming emails)