EACs 101: Your Questions Answered

What are EACs?

An energy attribute certificate (EAC) is a free market instrument that verifies 1 megawatt-hour of renewable electricity was generated and added to the grid from a green power source.

EACs are the foundation of all renewable energy purchases and the leading way that global companies acquire, track and trade renewable energy. When bundled with purchased electricity, EACs enable buyers to make renewable electricity utilization and marketing claims.

Who buys EACs?

The world’s largest global organizations purchase EACs. As most businesses are unable to source renewable energy directly, they rely on EACs to reduce their Scope 2 emissions, claim environmental attributes of renewable electricity, and meet their sustainability commitments and goals.

How do I know if EACs are right for my company?

RECs are affordable, flexible, and highly credible. They are ideal for companies that would like a simple solution to reducing their carbon footprint and meeting renewable energy goals.

If your company is constrained by leasing restrictions, needs to meet carbon reduction goals quickly, and/or wants geographical flexibility, EACs are a better option when compared to offsite or onsite PPAs, although EACs are often used in combination with these other systems.

Where are EAC markets?

Energy Attribute Certificates exist in global markets. They are known as renewable energy certificates (RECs) in North America, guarantees of origin (GOs) in the European Union, and I-RECs or tradeable instruments for global renewables (TIGRs) in certain developing international markets. With recent updates to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance, multinational organizations are now sourcing renewable electricity products in markets matching their operational locations across the world.