Audits of Renewables Obligation (RO) Generating Stations 2022/23
Guidance
Publication date
Scheme name
RO
Audits of Renewables Obligation (RO), Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO) and Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) Generating Stations 2022/23
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 audit programme of generating stations. The purpose of our audits is to confirm that the information provided during accreditation was correct and to ensure ROC/REGO/FIT claims are accurate. Our audit programmes detect and deter non-compliance, misreporting and fraud in the schemes. Similarly to 2021/22, we are running both a targeted and a statistical audit programme during 2022/23 under the RO. We are also running a targeted audit programme during 2022/23 under the FIT scheme.
Launch of the statistical audit programme for Renewable Obligation (RO) Generating Stations 2022/23
This is the third year of our statistical audit programme under the RO scheme and will be carried out alongside our targeted audit programme. Unlike in previous years, this years RO statistical audit programme will start in October 2022. Our RO statistical audit 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. These changes to our audit timeframes will allow our audit team to implement improvements including streamlining our processes and an improved generator experience. The targeted RO and FIT audit programmes for 2022/23 are unaffected by this change and will continue to run for 12 months which started in April 2022.
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.
What is the approach to audit and 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 serious consequences such as recouping payments and withdrawal from the relevant Renewable Electricity scheme.
Following changes made to our audit process last year, any findings that warrant further investigation will be referred to our Renewable Electricity (RE) participant compliance team to investigate. The RE participant compliance team will then determine whether a compliance case is required to be opened.
If you are a generator that has had an audit completed and your case has been passed to this department for a more detailed review, the RE participant compliance team is assessing the matter and will be in contact in due course. Please note we are anticipating a peak in work until April and will only be responding to urgent queries during this period. These can be directed to REParticipantCompliance@ofgem.gov.uk
As a generator, what can I do to support Ofgem’s review?
We’re keen to work closely with generators, and we will share updates when they become available. 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 register in the meantime.