Microgeneration And Regos Factsheet

Microgeneration and REGOs factsheet What is a REGO? Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) are certificates which demonstrate that electricity has been produced from a renewable source of energy. How can I start receiving REGOs? The REGO scheme is administered by Ofgem. Any generator wishing to be issued with REGOs will need to have their installation accredited by Ofgem. Once your installation is accredited Ofgem will create an account for you in the REGO Register, www.regoregister.ofgem.gov.uk . One REGO is issued for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of eligible renewable electricity generated. REGOs are ‘self-issued’. This means that generators request the issue of REGOs by entering output data and other information into the REGO Register. If the REGO Register approves a request REGOs are issued immediately into a generator’s account. REGOs may then be traded with other account holders. REGOs can be issued at anytime during the year. There is no requirement on generators to submit requests at a specific time of the month or year. The request must cover a period of generation greater than one month but less than the span of an obligation period which is 1 April to 31 March. Why do I need REGOs? REGOs do not have a value in the way that ROCs do and LECs can have and as far as we are aware there is no market for trading them. Their key purpose in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) is to allow suppliers to meet the Fuel Mix Disclosure condition in their supply licences. Fuel Mix Disclosure requires electricity suppliers to demonstrate to their customers, in bills and other promotional material, the energy sources the electricity supplied is generated from. This means that it is increasingly likely that electricity suppliers will request REGOs to accompany the electricity generators sell. If an electricity supplier does request REGOs with the electricity the supplier must hold those REGOs within their REGO Register account before 1 July each year to comply with their supply licence condition for fuel mix disclosure. What sort of meter will I need? In order for the installation to be eligible for REGOs you must have a meter in place, to record the electricity generated accurately. If you also wish to claim Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) and or Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs), you must have an Ofgem approved meter in place. Ofgem does not require an Ofgem approved meter to be installed where a generator only requests REGOs. However you must provide Ofgem with information on your meter to determine whether it is appropriate. If you are unsure about what meter you require, your installer should be able to advise. If you would like a copy of the most recent list of Ofgem approved meters, you can contact the Ofgem Renewables Team using the contact details below. What do I do with my REGOs once I’ve received them? REGOs should accompany the electricity they are associated with. So if you sell your electricity to an electricity supplier the supplier is likely to also want the REGOs that

accompany that electricity. If you are simply consuming the electricity that you generate or spilling it onto the grid without selling it directly to an electricity supplier then you do not need to claim REGOs for this electricity. If you decide to claim REGOs anyway simply retain the certificate for your records, there is no need to pass it onto a third party. Can I use an Agent? Yes. An agent may be appointed to carry out any of the tasks associated with REGOs although an agent may only request and receive REGOs on behalf of and for the benefit of the generator. The station operator must specify the scope of the agreement with the agent, and inform Ofgem of the arrangement. Where can I get further information on REGOs? Operation of REGOs, guidance and forms: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environmnt/REGOs/Pages/REGOs.aspx  [email protected];  Renewables Administrator, The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, 9 Millbank London SW1P 3GE Government Policy: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/european/directive/page23710.html  [email protected]  Nicola Barber, Renewables Obligation Team, Department of Trade & Industry, 1 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0ET General Microgeneration Issues: http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/microgeneration/index.html  [email protected]  Microgeneration Team, Energy Technologies Unit, Department of Trade & Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. www.berr.gov.uk © Crown Copyright. Published July 2007. URN 07/1216