Guarantees of Origin (GOs) 

To document and report renewable electricity consumption in Europe, you must buy Guarantees of Origin (GOs). GOs allow companies to track and claim ownership of clean energy, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and enabling them to achieve renewable energy goals.

wind power guarantees of origin

How Guarantees of Origin work 

When power plants in Europe produce 1 MWh of renewable energy, a GO stating how, where and when that unit of energy was produced is issued. Companies can buy GOs to prove clean energy claims and report reduced GHG emissions. The certificates are cancelled – redeemed – in favour of a single owner in a closed electronic registry.

Thanks to the European single energy market and the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB), GOs can be traded across national borders to other countries with grid connections. This unique standardised instrument permits consumers to trace the origin of electricity and comply with environmental standards, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guideance 

Countries issuing Guarantees of Origin
Where Guarantees of Origin are available

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Guarantees of Origin allow your company to:

  • Document consumption of renewables and reliably claim GHG emissions reductions.
  • Trace the origin of electricity and choose between technologies like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, or bioenergy.
  • Source renewable electricity across national borders in over 25 countries within the European single market.
  • Comply with corporate environmental standards.
  • Follow EU regulation on renewable energy and improve your sustainability rating.
  • Become more attractive to investors, customers, and prospective employees.
  • Contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Buying Guarantees of Origin with Ecohz

We simplify how companies procure clean electricity and provide them with the best energy mix according to their needs. 

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

2. You receive an offer with a specific rate and expiry date. Upon acceptance, we secure the quoted price.

3. Once the offer has been accepted, we deliver a standardised contract.

4. We provide you with an invoice and documentation for reporting.

Why purchase Guarantees of Origin: good for the climate, good for your business

Guarantees of Origin are market-based instruments that increase the momentum of renewable energy. As demand continues to grow in Europe, GOs give power producers extra income, making it more appealing to build new renewable capacity and contribute to an urgent transition.

Consuming documented renewable electricity also makes businesses more appealing to investors and builds loyalty with an increasing share of environmentally minded customers.

The price of Guarantees of Origin

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

In 2022, GOs saw a sharp price increase. After experiencing instability at the start of 2023, prices steadily declined towards the end of the year. Future developments are hard to predict. Ecohz’ sourcing team monitors the market constantly to provide our customers with the most cost-effective solution available.

Who regulates Guarantees of Origin?

In 2018 the EU approved a revised version of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), strengthening the GO system – launched in 2001 – to advance its 2030 climate goals. REDII states that electricity suppliers and consumers of power must use GOs to support renewable electricity claims in Europe.

While GOs are standardised instruments, different organisations have distinct market boundaries that define where the guarantees are valid. For example, the AIB and the RE100 have disparate understandings of the single market and where companies can purchase GOs towards renewability targets.

Sell your supply

Market your renewable electricity to buyers worldwide.

RE100 tightens criteria for renewables and adjusts European market boundaries

RE100's new technical criteria enter into force on 1 January 2024, raising standards for renewable energy sources, redefining European market boundaries, and setting a limit on the commissioning date of green power plants. 

EU Commission affirms role of Guarantees of Origin in EU Taxonomy alignment, could spur demand

The recently adopted European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) set market-based energy consumption reporting as mandatory for around 50 000 companies and could drive demand for Guarantees of Origin (GOs).

 

Electricity lines - SOME-Jul-31-2023-12-17-32-2512-PM
Ecolabels

Consume renewable energy meeting requirements of specific standards or ecolabels. Buy Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) from power plants that meet stricter environmental standards and are verified by an external auditor. Choose between national or international ecolabels and standards, document the age and type of the power plant, technology and unique operational focus, and raise funds for renewable energy projects.

Power plants

Ecohz provides access to a comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 power plants, located across five continents. This enables you to choose specific power plants with distinct characteristics, including choice of technology, location, age, size, and owner profile.

Trains powered by Norwegian hydropower

Bane NOR is responsible for the national railway infrastructure and electricity supply to the train companies in Norway ensuring that the origin of all electricity to be delivered is Norwegian hydropower.

NSB train SOME

Do you want to know more about our products and services? Let's have a chat.

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Cyril Bricaud
Chief Sales Officer

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Marine Mouilleron
International Senior Originator

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