Renewable Energy Certificates Registry

The Renewable Energy Certificates Registry (REC-registry) is an internet-based registry system in Australia for renewable energy certificates (RECs). If an Australian organization installs a green energy installation (solar energy, wind energy, etc.), they can apply for RECs to offset consumption of fossil fuels.

The REC-registry was established by the Australian Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (the act),[1] and is maintained by the Clean Energy Regulator.

The REC-registry:

• facilitates the creation, registration, transfer and surrender of large-scale generation certificates (LGCs)[2] and small-scale technology certificates (STCs)],[3]
• tracks the ownership and status of all certificates,
• provides access to the STC clearing house, and
• maintains various public registers as required by the act.[4]

Prior to 1 January 2011, the primary mechanism in the renewable energy target (RET) was the renewable energy certificate (REC). From 1 January 2011 RECs were split into small-scale technology certificates (STCs) and large-scale generation certificates (LGCs). RECs are still used as a general term covering both STCs and LGCs.

All certificates must be created in the REC-registry[5] before they can be bought, sold, traded or surrendered. Participants must hold an account and be registered as a REC-registry user to create, view or transfer certificates.