Audits of Renewables Obligation (RO), Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) Generating Stations 2023/24
As the administrator of the Renewables Obligation (RO), Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) schemes, we carry out an annual programme of audits of generating stations. The purpose of our audits is to check compliance with scheme rules and to ensure ROC/REGO/FIT claims are accurate. Our audit programmes detect, monitor, and deter non-compliance, misreporting and fraud in the schemes. In 2023/24 we are running a targeted and a statistical audit programme under the RO. We are also running a targeted audit programme during 2023/24 under the FIT scheme and we will introduce a new FIT statistical audit programme.
Continuation of the statistical audit programme for Renewable Obligation (RO) Generating Stations 2022/23
The third year of our RO statistical audit programme commenced in October 2022. Unlike in previous years, this programme will run for 18 months, instead of the usual 12 months. This means that the third year of the RO statistical audit programme will continue into 2023/24 and is expected to end by 31 March 2024.
This extended timeframe for the RO statistical audit programme has allowed us to review and streamline our processes, ensuring they are fit for purpose. As part of this, we have refined and updated our assurance rating definitions. This change will allow us to more accurately identify which audits require further investigation by our Compliance team. As we work to adopt these new assurance ratings for the third year of the RO statistical audit programme, we have temporarily paused sending audit findings to operators. We anticipate that we will re-commence issuing findings letters from Summer 2023 onwards. We apologise for any concern or inconvenience this delay may have caused scheme participants. Please contact us if you have concerns regarding a specific audit.
The targeted RO and FIT audit programmes for 2023/24, started in April 2023, will continue to run for 12 months as usual.
For more information on our RO audit process, please refer to our Renewables Obligation: Guidance for Generators guidance document. For any queries, please email our dedicated teams at:
For RO audit queries contact us at ROAudits@Ofgem.gov.uk. For FIT queries, please contact us at fitauditandrisk@ofgem.gov.uk.
Launch of the statistical audit programme for Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) installations 2023-24
From 2023/24, we plan to introduce a new FIT Statistical Audit Programme, with the current aim for this to commence from October 2023. This will be carried out alongside the existing FIT targeted audit programme and will run over 18 months for the first iteration. This will allow us to spread the audit volumes over a longer timeframe while we develop and embed the new processes associated with this audit programme. The new programme of audits will consist of randomly selected accredited installations, similar to the RO Statistical Audit Programme. The purpose of this is to increase our understanding of the level and types of non-compliance across the wider FIT scheme population.
What is our approach to non-compliance?
We take compliance extremely seriously and will investigate matters where we have concerns, particularly where there could be a financial impact. There are a range of outcomes from such investigations, including consequences such as recouping payments and withdrawal from the relevant scheme.
Following changes made to our audit processes last year, any findings that warrant further investigation will be referred to our Compliance team to investigate. The Compliance team will then determine whether they need to open a compliance case. If you are a generator that has had an audit completed and your case has been referred to this team for a more detailed review, the Compliance team will assess the matter and will be in contact in due course. Please note we are experiencing a high volume of queries and responses may take longer than usual. Any queries can be directed to REParticipantCompliance@ofgem.gov.uk
As a generator, what can I do to support Ofgem on my audit or compliance investigation?
To help ensure a timely resolution of each case, please respond to our information requests by the requested deadline, providing all supporting evidence requested.
Please also refrain from making any amendments to the application on the Renewables & CHP register in the meantime, until instructed by Ofgem to do so.