About RE-GO

The RE-GO project has begun with a survey of implementation progress across MS, and will develop a theoretical study on the different uses of the Guarantee of Origin (GO). The important problems of double counting and mutual recognition are also addressed. The work for RE-GO will be completed in three phases:

Phase 1: Review of current progress across the EU
During the first phase of the project a review of the potentials, the expected market development and existing support schemes in the EU Member States will be explored and presented. Phase 1 also aims to provide a description of existing systems for certification and proof of origin introduced in EU member states. The key features of the various schemes will be identified and compared. This work will be carried out in through four main tasks:

• Review of RE potentials and the RE market in the EU

• Description of different schemes for certificates and proof of origin across the EU

• Review of structure and operation of national electricity markets across the EU

• Review of the status on the implementation of the Guarantee of Origin

Phase 2: Analysis of GOs as a tool for renewable energy policy formulation
The Guarantee of Origin is a key element not only for tradable green certificate (TGC) systems but for renewable energy policy in general. Renewable energy policy based on feed in tariffs, obligations, tax exemption and/or subsidies also require information about what source is used to generate the electricity.

As Member States have different renewable energy support schemes, RE-GO will consider the most important ones and analyse the role that GO could play in the facilitation of the application of that policy. The interaction between GO and the following policies will be analysed:

• Tradable green certificate

• Feed in tariffs

• Obligations

• Energy exemption and/or subsidies

• Emissions trading system

• Labelling organisations

Phase 3: GO as a tracking method and the prevention of double counting
The way electricity is tracked can help to resolve the problem of double counting. This phase, which is divided in two tasks will address these issues:

• GO as a tool for electricity tracking - The aim of the European parliament while adopting the obligation of Guarantee of Origin was to enable the disclosure of green electricity in the free market for electricity so that consumers can be confident about the green electricity they buy. With this in mind, RE-GO will analyse the use of the GO as a tool for tracking electricity.

• GO and the problem of double counting - Double counting can occur when the trade of green electricity takes place between countries and the certificate systems are not harmonised. Double counting is also possible if green certificates traded from one country to another country are not appropriately taken out of the system (redeemed) by the selling country.

RE-GO will list the problems that MS could experience and that could occur if no system is put in place to prevent double counting before going on to identify how these may be overcome. Starting from the MS experience, RE-GO will develop recommendations for the design of an EU system that prevents double counting of environmental benefit.

Dissemination

As part of the project two seminars have been organised, presenting the issues for and lessons form implementation. The first seminar was held about six months after the start of the project, on 1 October 2003 in Brussels. Its aim was to share experiences between MS in order to assist those MS that have not yet adopted the requirement in their legislation or implemented an issuing body. The first phase report on the status of implementation by the MS was also launched at this seminar. This meeting has also helped to facilitate mutual recognition of GOs across MS.

The second seminar revisited implementation issues, based on a few months of GO experience, and other relevant findings and issues of the project. The seminar was brought forward on request by the European Commission, in order to feed into the preparation of the EC Communication on the share of renewables in the EU (see RE-GO Documents). The seminar took place on 12 March 2004, in Brussels.

Both seminars were well attended by experts and policy makers from Member States and Accession Countries.

The project is funded by the European Commission Altener Programme.