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About Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
 

What is REC

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) represent the attributes of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. These attributes are unbundled from the physical electricity and the two products—the attributes embodied in the certificates and the commodity electricity—may be sold or traded separately. In other words, one REC represents that 1MWh of energy is generated from renewable sources. RECs are expected to become the currency of renewable energy markets because of their flexibility and the fact that they are not subject to the geographic and physical limitations of commodity electricity. RECs can be used by the obligated entities to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, such as Renewable Purchase Obligations.
 
What is Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) represent the attributes of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. These attributes are unbundled from the physical electricity and the two products—the attributes embodied in the certificates and the commodity electricity—may be sold or traded separately. In other words, one REC represents that 1MWh of energy is generated from renewable sources. RECs are expected to become the currency of renewable energy markets because of their flexibility and the fact that they are not subject to the geographic and physical limitations of commodity electricity. RECs can be used by the obligated entities to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, such as Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Who are obligated to purchase RECs?
The entities mandated to purchase a defined quantum of renewable energy of their overall consumption are Obligated entities. Obligated entities may either purchase renewable energy or can purchase RECs to meet their Renewable purchase Obligation (RPO) set under Renewable Purchase Obligation of their respective States. Following entities are generally obligated in the State:
  1. Distribution Licensees
  2. Captive Consumers
  3. Open Access users
Who are eligible to sell RECs ?
Eligible entities are those renewable generators who meet following criteria
  1. Type of renewable source is approved by MNRE and respective State Commission
  2. Not have any Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the capacity related to such generation to sell electricity at a preferential tariff determined by the appropriate commission
  3. Not having agreement to sell electricity to local distribution company at price not exceeding pooled cost of power purchase of that distribution company
  4. Sells electricity to the
    1. distribution licensee of the area at a price not exceeding the pooled cost of power purchase of such distribution licensee, OR
    2. to any other licensee or to an open access consumer at a mutually agreed price, or through power exchange at market determined price. Selling electricity to any entity other than local distribution company at market driven prices or otherwise
Categories of Certificates
  • There are two categories of certificates:
    1. Solar Certificates issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on solar as renewable energy source.
    2. Non-solar certificates issued to eligible entities for generation of electricity based on renewable energy sources other than solar.
Procedure for Application of Issuance of Renewable Energy Certificates
 
Step 1. Accreditation
Through this process State Nodal Agency (SNA) authorizes or endorses the RE Generator and recommends it for registration.
  • Eligible Generator can get accredited not before 6 months prior to the proposed date of commissioning.
  • Accreditation Certificate valid for 5 years from the date of accreditation.
  • Separate applications for separate RE generation projects
  • Minimum capacity of RE generation project to be 250 kW.

Click here to view the sample format of ?Application for Accreditation of RE Generation Project for REC Mechanism? and ?Certificate of Accreditation?
Step 2. Registration
Through this process, NLDC (Central Agency) registers their Generator as ‘Eligible Entity’ for its RE Generation Project.
  • Eligible Generator can get registered not before 3 months prior to the proposed date of commissioning.
  • Registration can only be done after receipt of the ‘Certificate of Accreditation’ for the RE Generation Project from the concerned State Agency.
  • Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of Registration.

Click here to view the format of ?Application for Registration of Generating Company? and ?Certificate of Registration?
Step 3. Issuance of REC
  • The electricity generated from RE project is injected into the grid and sold to either a distribution licensee or open access consumer with whom it has contract or sold through the power exchange. The metering of quantum of Renewable Energy injected into the grid is approved by or recorded through energy accounting by SLDC.
  • Eligible RE Generator to apply to NLDC to issue the RE certificates equivalent to the amount of electricity injected into the grid as certified by the SLDC. The application to be filed within
    three months from the date of renewable energy generated.
  • Application can be made on a fortnightly basis, i.e., on the 1st day of the month or on 15th day of the month.
  • NLDC to issue RECs to Eligible RE Generator within 15 days as per SLDC and State Agency’s generation report.
  • RECs to be sold within 365 days of issuance or else they will lapse.

Click here to view the format of ?Application to Issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate?

Click here to see the Sample ?Renewable Energy Certificate?
Step 4. REC Trading at Exchange Platform
Once the RECs are issued to the RE Generator (Eligible Entity), sale/purchase of RECs amongst Eligible RE Generators and Obligated entities to be undertaken only through Power Exchanges.
  • Trading through Closed double-sided auction on the last Wednesday of every month.
  • Call of bids from 13:00 Hrs to 15:00 Hrs on the auction day(T-day).
  • PXs to intimates details of maximum sale bids placed by each Eligible RE Generator to NLDC by 15:30 Hrs .
  • NLDC to check availability of RECs with the eligible entity by 16:00 Hrs.
  • Post-confirmation from NLDC, PXs to determine Market Clearing Price and Market Clearing Volume and send the details final cleared trades to NLDC for extinguishing of RECs sold in the records of NLDC by 17:00 Hrs.
Step 5. Surrender/Redeeming of RECs
The Obligated Entities purchase RECs through PXs and to surrender to SERC or other agency as specified by SERCs as to meet their RPO. NLDC (REC Registry) to maintain record of RECs sold and purchased .
Step 6. Compliance Reporting
Compliance Auditors to monitor and report the compliance of REC Regulations.
 
Salient Features of Renewable Energy Certificates
Participation Voluntary
REC Denomination 1 MWh
Validity 365 Days after issuance
Categories 1. Solar REC
2. Non-Solar REC
Trading Platform Power Exchanges only
Banking Not Allowed
Borrowing Not Allowed
Transfer Type Single transfer only, repeated trade of the same certificate is not possible
Penalty for Non-compliance ‘Forbearance’ Price (Maximum Price)
Price Guarantee Through ‘Floor’ Price (Minimum Price)
Price Discovery Mechanism Closed Double-sided Auction*
Trading Calendar Last Wednesday of the month (T day)
Trading Period 1300-1500 hrs (T day)
Market Clearing 1700 hrs(T day)
Financial Settlement Buyers pay upfront (T day) and Sellers receive on (T+1 day)
*As advised by CERC