Page type: primary-anchored (mirrors Electricity (Guarantees of Origin) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/2562)
Guarantees of Origin (REGO) Regulations
The Electricity (Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations 2003 create the GO scheme for renewable electricity in Great Britain. One GO is issued per MWh of confirmed renewable generation. Ofgem administers this as REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin).
Primary source: ~/knowledge/sources/legislation/uk/si-2003-2562-go-regulations.md
Last updated: 2026-04-05
What a GO is
A guarantee of origin is a tracking certificate, not a subsidy. It certifies that one MWh of electricity was produced from renewable sources. Generators receive GOs from Ofgem; they sell them to suppliers; suppliers retire them to substantiate "green tariff" claims to customers.
The GO's market value is determined by demand for green tariff verification, not by any statutory payment rate.
How the scheme works
- Generator requests GOs from Ofgem with production data and a signed declaration (Reg 4)
- Ofgem issues GOs into the electronic Register, one per MWh (Reg 6)
- GOs are tradeable: registered holders can request transfers (Reg 6(5))
- 16-month expiry: GOs must be cancelled within 16 months of the production period (Reg 7A)
- Revocation: Ofgem can revoke GOs issued on incorrect or fraudulent information (Reg 8)
The Register is "conclusive" (Reg 7(2)), meaning it is the definitive record of which GOs exist and who holds them.
Renewable sources covered
Wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal, ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas, and biogases (Reg 2).
Post-Brexit status
Originally implemented the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) under the European Communities Act 1972. Now retained domestic law. UK REGOs are no longer automatically recognised across EU member states, and EU GOs are not automatically valid in the UK.
Relationship to other schemes
| Scheme | Interaction |
|---|---|
| Renewables Obligation | RO generators receive both ROCs (subsidy) and REGOs (tracking) |
| CfD | CfD generators receive REGOs; surplus may transfer to LCCC |
| SEG | SEG generators may receive REGOs for exports |
| Fuel Mix Disclosure | Suppliers use REGOs to substantiate reported fuel mix |
Cross-references
- REGO scheme, the operational wiki page
- Renewables Obligation
- CfD Standard Terms
- SEG Order