11 May 2026
You might have heard the term Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, before, but if you’re not sure exactly what they are or how they can help support your business goals, you wouldn’t be alone.
For businesses across the UK that want to lower their carbon footprint, RECs offer a surprisingly simple way to get involved in the shift towards clean energy.
They’re not complicated, but they can make a big impact on your overall carbon footprint. This article breaks down what they are, how they can help your business achieve its goals, and what are the next steps if you are keen to use Renewable Energy Certificates yourself.
What is a Renewable Energy Certificate?
In its simplest description, a Renewable Energy Certificate represents proof that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable source – whether that be wind, solar, hydro or any other source – and sent into the power grid.
When electricity enters the grid, there’s no way to separate out the “green” (i.e. renewably sourced) from the “grey” (from fossil fuels). But RECs exist as a kind of receipt. They allow energy users to purchase a number of RECs that match their usage and then claim the environmental benefit of lower carbon power, even if their electricity supply at the point of use is from a mixed grid.
In the UK, these are called REGOs (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin). In parts of Europe they go by Guarantees of Origin, or GoOs. But across the board, they serve the same purpose: tracking and certifying the lower carbon energy you’re indirectly using.
What are the benefits of using Renewable Energy Certificates?
One of the main benefits of using RECs is the fact that it allows you to start using lower carbon energy for your operations as soon as they are purchased. RECs don’t require installation of on-site supply which could disrupt your day-to-day operations. You simply match the certificates to your energy use and start reporting your consumption figures with a lower overall carbon footprint.
Additional benefits include:
What's in it for your business?
Not every business is in a position to invest in its own renewable energy systems as it stands. Maybe that is because you lease your premises, or maybe solar panel installation just doesn’t make sense based on your location. Whatever the reasons making on-site generation unfeasible for you currently, RECs allow you to power your operations using a lower carbon supply, demonstrating your commitment to decarbonisation in a measurable, auditable way.
For businesses that want to demonstrate commitment and progress towards decarbonisation goals but can’t make physical upgrades their operations yet, Renewable Energy Certificates have a low barrier to entry. It could be that you have already begun to act, possibly in the form of upgraded lighting, modern HVAC, or switched to an electric fleet – RECs can complement these steps.
Some organisations buy enough to match 100% of their power supply, while others start small. Either way, it’s an entirely scalable approach that can be tailored to fit your specific needs.
How SEFE Energy can help with Renewable Energy Certificates
It is important to understand that RECs only add value if they’re applied properly. That means getting the accounting right, aligning with your sustainability frameworks, and if needed, communicating it clearly to customers or stakeholders.
That’s where it helps to work with an experienced supplier. At SEFE Energy, we work with organisations across the UK and Europe to integrate RECs into their broader energy strategies. Whether you need them bundled with supply contracts or as standalone tools, we help you choose what fits the needs of your business.
There’s a lot of noise out there about decarbonisation. But for businesses trying to balance impact with practicality, Renewable Energy Certificates are a smart, pragmatic step.
If you’re looking to make a move toward lower-carbon energy supply, without overhauling your whole system overnight, start here with us at SEFE Energy.