The problem with disclosure in general is: how can you show the origin of your power supplies? It is impossible to prove the origin of the electricity as such, because an electron generated from a renewable source cannot be distinct from a ‘fossil’ or ‘nuclear’ electron. A supplier would have to monitor the generators they contracted, and which sources these generators use.

This is no piece of cake for most suppliers, as they have to track down all contracted power. Imports will be especially hard to track. But in the case of power from renewable sources, this should be no problem. Here we have Guarantees of Origin (GoO), an instrument to prove the supply or consumption of renewable electricity. With GoOs one can prove that a certain amount of electricity produced by a renewable source is put on the grid and that the same amount is taken off the grid somewhere else.

The GoO themselves originate from the Directive on renewable power. Recently the European Commission again confirmed to RECS International that GoOs are crucial in the relationship between suppliers and their customers. Unhappily enough, too many member states still don’t have a proper GoO system in place.

GoOs solve the problem of disclosure of the green part of power suppliers. Where the electricity is put on the grid the GoO is issued and there where the electricity is taken off the grid, the GoO must be redeemed. The full lifecycle of the GoO and the corresponding power is thereby defined! And obviously the supplier that redeems the GoO, is allowed to include the corresponding amount of green power into their disclosure.

Thus redemption of GoO plays an important role. This approach especially works in international markets, where GoOs facilitate import and export. Of course this requires that the GoO systems be standardized.

Such a standard already exists, is working properly and seven countries are already cooperating in this. RECS International calls upon other governments that are responsible for the implementation of the systems of GoO to coordinate their systems. Governments are asked to appoint issuing bodies for this and enforce membership of the AIB in order to standardise the systems of GoO.

Peter Niermeijer
General secretary
RECS International