Guarantees of Origin (GOs) 

Document renewable electricity consumption in Europe to reduce GHG emissions, achieve sustainability goals, and comply with regulations.

wind power guarantees of origin

What is a Guarantee of Origin?

Guarantees of Origin (GOs) are the certificates used to track and document the consumption of renewable energy in Europe. Each GO represents 1 MWh of renewable energy and states how, where and when that unit of energy was produced.

GOs are cancelled (redeemed) in favour of a single organisation, which then owns the environmental benefits of that unit of energy, such as lower emissions. Since Europe is a single market, they can be bought in one country and transferred to prove clean energy consumption in another country.

Countries that issue Guarantees of Origin
GOs – August 2024-1

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What are the benefits of buying GOs?

Companies that buy renewable energy documented with GOs:

  • Reduce Scope 2 emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. 
  • Become more appealing to investors and funds with sustainability criteria.
  • Build loyalty with an increasing share of environmentally minded customers.
  • Accelerate the energy transition by directing extra income to clean power producers, making renewables more competitive and incentivising investments in new capacity.

The GO purchasing process

01 Strategy

Our advisors tailor a procurement plan for your company based on your location, volume of consumption, and sustainability ambitions.

02 Offer

Based on your country and volume of consumption, we discuss how we can help you reach your renewable energy ambitions.

03 Contract

We deliver a standardised contract to guarantee the purchase and delivery of GOs by an agreed date.

04 Delivery

We provide you with an invoice and all the necessary documentation for renewable energy reporting.

The price of Guarantees of Origin

The GO market is subject to multiple pressures. Weather patterns, policy changes, and geopolitical events can affect the price of the certificates.

The graph below shows the price behaviour of GOs over time. Although, future developments are hard to predict, Ecohz’ advisors monitor the market constantly to provide our customers with the most cost-effective solution available.

GO wo prices

 

Building a smart GO procurement strategy

01 Consumption period

noun-calendar-7907541 (1)GOs can be cancelled to comply with different consumption periods, which offers cost-saving opportunities.

02 Timing

noun-stock-market-7887831Agile purchasing allows you to take advantage of market fluctuations.

03 Technology

noun-wind-turbine-7912273Whether solar, wind, hydro, biomass or other, tech can be determining for GO prices.

04 Long-term procurement

noun-binoculars-7569581Forward year GO buying and other strategies such as PPAs can cut costs and reduced risk.

05 Sustainability standards

noun-standard-5343524Aligning with initiatives such as RE100 and obtaining high CDP scores requires meeting strict quality requirements.

06 Reporting deadlines

noun-documents-1013544Ensure GOs are purchased prior to registry deadlines too.

07 Ecolabels

noun-leaf-7865043Consume renewable energy meeting requirements of specific standards or certification programmes.

Ecolabels to boost your positive impact

Buy renewable energy from power plants that meet stricter sustainability standards and unleash additional social and environmental benefits.

Ecolabels

Ecohz Renewable Energy Procurement Portals

We developed digital platforms that simplify how you source renewables around the world, whether for business units or value chain partners.

For Scope 2

Bring decentralised renewable energy procurement under control with a platform that streamlines EAC purchases globally. 

For Scope 3

Give your suppliers easy access to renewable energy and reduce Scope 3 emissions worldwide.

Scope 2 portal

Sell your supply

Market your Guarantees of Origin to buyers across Europe.

Insights

What determines the price of Guarantees of Origin?

The eternal tension between supply and demand reigns supreme over all markets. But what do these two depend on when speaking about Guarantees of Origin (GOs)?

Need further guidance or want buy Guarantees of Origin? Get in touch.

Get in touch

Peter Bloor
Director Corporate Sales

Book a meeting

Adrien Mathys
Senior Renewable Portfolio Manager

Sell your supply

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