RECS International is happy to announce a new member from the US: Renewable Choice Energy.

CNMC has long been the official issuing body for guarantees of origin in Spain and as of July 26 2016 these GOs were standardized according to the EECS regulations held by the Association of Issuing Bodies. On September 22nd the first exports from Spain took place via the AIB Hub.

On October 17 and 18 RECS International attended the Renewable Energy Market 2016 in San Francisco organized by the Center for Resource Solutions. 

Recs International welcomes three new members: GGNE, Optiment and SCB Group.

Recently several articles have been published describing RECS International’s vision for how electricity consumption is reported at the European and national levels. 

The electricity market is changing. The focus is shifting from production to consumer demands, putting the end user in the driver's seat. On the 1st of November 2016 EY, in conjunction with RECS International and the RE100 group, will invite you to the event “Energy Strategy: 100% Renewable Energy”. Presenters and panelists will dedicate the afternoon to discussing the various topics related to these strategic developments. The event will be attended by global procurement directors, sustainability leaders, environmental heads and leading policy professionals, who will be sharing their knowledge and insights. The main focus will be on strategic options for corporates to source 100% renewables globally.

GO’s and other attribute tracking certificates are well established within European and U.S. electricity markets and are increasingly developing world wide. RECS International believes it is important to bring the focus to consumers adhering to best practice standards. For this reason RECS International is going to revive RECS Good Practice as a way to encourage transparency in product procurement.

Consumers must play a larger role in the energy transition but without the right tools in place the influence of the consumer is limited. Across Europe consumers are increasingly choosing renewable energy even though this is not reflected in national statistics. Reporting on both the production and consumption of renewable electricity will support consumer choice and action in the electricity market. A recently published article by the Secretary General of RECS International elaborates on this topic and can be read here. 

Earlier this year the Norwegian government, pressured by industry players, has considered abandoning the pan-European GO system in favour of a so-called “production-based tracking system”. These developments were placing a consumer-driven market for renewable electricity under threat. RECS International called on all stakeholders in Norway to protect consumer choice and begin a dialogue over these issues.