Electra Energy Efficient Solutions Pty Ltd (Electra) has been suspended from the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program for three months after it allegedly falsely claimed to have completed weather sealing and low-flow shower rose upgrades.
The misconduct was uncovered by the Essential Services Commission’s VEU fraud taskforce – a newly established unit focussed on stamping out fraudulent activity in high-volume, low-cost energy efficient upgrades.
The VEU program is an energy efficiency program, designed to help Victorians cut their energy bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which they can then sell.
The commission alleges contractors working on behalf of Electra:
- misrepresented the number of upgrades installed
- fabricated customer details
- manipulated geo-tags on photos submitted as evidence of upgrades
- submitted photos of different properties as evidence of an upgrade to claim certificates for work that was not undertaken.
The commission has:
- suspended Electra’s VEU accreditation for three months
- refused registration and ordered the surrender of a total of 900 certificates, valued at almost $80,000
- required Electra to undertake a compliance audit to assess their compliance with the VEU program rules, with a focus on their processes and the conduct of their installers.
While the alleged conduct was carried out by contractors, Electra, as the VEU accredited business, must ensure its contractors and the activities it creates certificates for comply with VEU program rules.
The taskforce was created to focus on high-volume, low-cost energy efficient upgrades in the VEU program – an area commission intelligence identified as a regulatory priority. It uses data to identify areas of high-risk and any unusual activity, with intelligence used to trigger targeted audits. For example multiple claims of shower upgrades in a property that only has one bathroom.
The taskforce’s investigations also led to action against LEDSaves.
The commission has the power to cancel accreditation and ban businesses from the VEU program, issue penalty notices and instigate civil or criminal prosecution of businesses and individuals. It will not hesitate to use these powers if it considers them appropriate.
*Figure calculated using the certificate value of $88, the spot price on 6 October 2026.
Quotes attributable to Essential Services Commission Chairperson and Commissioner Gerard Brody
“Our investigation has uncovered what we allege is serious fraudulent conduct from Electra, so we’ve taken quick action to protect the program’s integrity and reputation.”
“Stopping Electra from creating certificates directly affects their ability to generate income from the VEU program. The message is clear – deliberately breaking the rules puts your business at risk.”
“This is exactly what the taskforce was set up to do – use sophisticated analysis and intelligence to focus on areas we consider high-risk. When concerns arise, the taskforce can mobilise quickly to investigate and act, as we have done here.”
Contact details:
0437 677 385
