21
National Country Systems: Numerous countries have established their own EAC programs.
Some examples include:
Poland's accreditation is granted by TGE, the registered commodity exchange in Poland, and
its management is overseen by the Polish registry.
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) is the specific system employed in the
United Kingdom.
Tradeable Instruments for Global Renewables (TIGRs) are utilised by several countries, such
as Singapore and Taiwan.
Australia utilises Renewable Energy Target Certificates and Large-scale Generation
Certificates to support its renewable energy goals.
Japan utilises non-fossil certificates to facilitate its operations.
South Africa utilises zaRECs, which stands for South African Renewable Energy Certificates.
Table 2.: Key benefits of EACs
Key Benefits of EACs
Description
Traceability
Each MWh of electricity is tracked meticulously from
producer to consumer within national and international
registries. The risk of double counting is eliminated as EACs
are cancelled upon consumption, ensuring a reliable tracking
process.
Cost Efficiency
EACs provide a cost-effective method of sourcing renewable
electricity. They are relatively low-cost compared to other
options for procuring renewable energy, making them
accessible for a wide range of organizations.
Effectiveness
Procuring EACs is a simple and effective strategy for reducing
scope 2 emissions. This makes them a practical choice for
organizations aiming to meet their sustainability goals.
Transparency
EACs offer transparency by unbundling renewable energy
consumption. They provide certificates that verify the
consumption of renewable energy, along with information
about the region and type of energy generation device. This
documented evidence is valuable during audits and helps in
maintaining regulatory compliance.
Adoption by Standards
EACs are recognized by international standards such as the
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and
other climate certification programs. Their acceptance as a tool
to reduce scope 2 emissions contributes to lowering an
organization's overall carbon footprint.
Claims
Organizations that purchase EACs can make credible claims
such as being "in line with RE100" or "100% Renewable."
These claims enhance the organization's environmental
credentials and support their commitment to sustainability.
An EAC can be supplied either bundled with the underlying power or as a standalone product. When
the EAC and the underlying electricity are traded together in a contract, it is referred to as being
'bundled'. When each of them is traded in distinct contracts, it is referred to as 'unbundled'. Regardless
of the scenario, the fundamental principles remain the same, resulting in two distinct product streams:
1. the electrical energy itself, and 2. the inherent characteristics, which are symbolised by an EAC.
Both the utilisation of bundled and unbundled EACs are legitimate methods of using renewable
energy [15], [16], [17].