RECS, the Renewable Energy Certificate System, is the international system for certifying electricity generated from renewable resources. As the largest association of its kind in the energy sector, RECS fosters a renewable electricity market that is supported by producers and consumers committed to valuing the environment.
REC certificates stand as evidence of the production of electricity from renewable sources. One REC is created for every MWh of renewable electricity placed on the grid. In this way, RECS certificates incentivize the generation of renewable electricity by providing producers with a premium to support renewable energy development.
RECs are a distinct commodity that can be traded separately, on a voluntary basis, from the generator’s electricity. When consuming electricity, buyers finance electricity produced from renewable sources thus evidencing their commitment to the environment.
In Italy, the authorized RECs issuing body is GSE (Gestore Servizi Elettrici). In addition to plant certification, GSE issues and redeems certificates at the time energy is consumed, that is when it is definitively assigned to the final user.
By buying REC certified energy, final users make a concrete pledge to sustainability, recognizing a “plus” to renewable energy generators who can thus let the market know about their environmental commitment.
RECS currently involves over 24 European countries and gathers among his members more than 200 operators organized in two associations:
- RECS International, formed by producers and traders of renewable energy sources
- AIB Association of Issuing Bodies, formed by the mark certifying bodies
The Italian operators actively involved in RECS in 2008 were: AceaElectrabel Trading, A2A, Agsm Verona, Compagnia Valdostana delle Acque, Dalmine Energie, Duferco Energia, Dynameeting, Edelweiss Energia, Egl Italia, Electra Italia, Endesa Italia, Enel Trade, Eusebio Energia, Exergia, Green Network, Hera Trading, Idroelettrica Lombarda, Italgen, La220, Multiutility and Trenta.