The Essential Services Commission has taken action against two Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) accredited businesses for providing false information about energy efficiency projects and breaching consumer protections.
The VEU program is an energy efficiency program that helps Victorians cut their energy bills by supporting households and businesses to use energy more efficiently. Accredited businesses undertake energy efficiency upgrades that entitle them to create Victorian energy efficiency certificates, which they can then sell.
Energy Goals
The commission has cancelled the VEU accreditation of Ruhi Pty Ltd (Energy Goals), for providing false information about its energy efficiency projects and breaching consumer protections.
The commission found Energy Goals and a contractor working on its behalf:
- made false claims about upgrades to claim more certificates, including submitting staged photos of decommissioned lighting as evidence of multiple upgrades
- engaged in banned sales and marketing activity, including doorknocking.
The commission also ordered the surrender of 2,734 Victorian energy efficiency certificates, valued at around $230,000*.
This action follows the commission suspending Energy Goals’ accreditation in April 2026 after an initial investigation identified concerning conduct. This put an immediate stop to the alleged non-compliance, so the commission could further investigate its conduct and consider additional enforcement action.
Energy Goals applied for a review of the commission decision to cancel its VEU accreditation. The review was completed on 9 September 2026 and the cancellation was upheld.
Go Green Solutions
The commission has suspended the VEU accreditation of Go Green Solution Pty Ltd (Go Green Solutions) for six months.
The commission found Go Green Solutions submitted photos as evidence of low flow shower rose upgrades that did not occur.
The commission also:
- refused to register and ordered the surrender of 235 Victorian energy efficiency certificates, valued at around $20,000*
- required Go Green Solutions to complete an audit to assess its compliance with the VEU rules.
The outcome of the audit may inform further action against Go Green Solutions.
This is the sixth enforcement action resulting from the commission’s Fraud Taskforce – a unit focussed on stamping out fraudulent activity in the VEU program.
*Figure calculated using the certificate value of $86, the spot price on 22 September 2026.
Go Green Solutions applied for a review of the commission decision to suspend its VEU accreditation. The review was completed on 16 September 2026 and the suspension was upheld.
Energy Goals and Go Green Solutions are entitled to apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the decisions to cancel and suspend their accreditation.
Quotes attributable to Essential Services Commission Commissioner and Acting Chairperson Elly Patira
“VEU accredited businesses must ensure anyone working on their behalf adheres to the rules, to protect consumers and support program integrity.”
“Our investigations uncovered behaviour including serious fraudulent conduct, exaggerated claims and banned marketing practices.”
“These businesses are paying the price and should be an example for others – if you break the rules, you will be caught.”
Contact details:
0437 677 385