The Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme is a voluntary Australian Government scheme that tracks the emissions intensity of products, like hydrogen, and verifies renewable electricity. It supports Australia’s low-emissions industries and energy transformation under the Future Made in Australia plan.
Key points
- Voluntary scheme
- Two parts: REGO and PGO
- Public GO Register
- Established by the Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Act 2024
- Administered by the Clean Energy Regulator
Two parts
The Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) tracks and verifies when, where and how renewable electricity was generated, through REGO certificates issued for each megawatt hour. The Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) lets producers show where a product was made and the emissions associated with it through the supply chain, through PGO certificates.
Who takes part
Participation is voluntary. Owners and operators of renewable generation and energy storage facilities can register under the REGO. Australian businesses can register under the PGO to certify eligible products made using specific methods, starting with hydrogen produced by electrolysis.
How it relates to the Renewable Energy Target
The REGO runs alongside the Renewable Energy Target until that scheme ends on 31 December 2030, and continues after it. A facility can take part in both, but cannot create a large-scale generation certificate and a REGO certificate for the same electricity.
What certificates show
REGO certificates are time-stamped, usually to the hour. PGO certificates record the production method and emissions intensity, including upstream emissions. REGO certificates can also lower the electricity-related emissions reported under NGER and on PGO certificates.
The GO Register
The GO Register publicly shows participants, profiles, facilities and certificates, so buyers can compare how products and electricity were produced.
Legislation and administration
The scheme is established by the Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Act 2024, the Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin Charges) Act 2024, and the rules, regulations and methodology determinations made under them. The Clean Energy Regulator administers it, including assessing applications, registering certificates and ensuring compliance. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is responsible for policy.
References & sources
Primary regulatory documents and authoritative references underpinning this answer.