Entry into force of the Act on guarantee of origin to be delayed – Parliamentary proceedings to continue in the autumn

The discussions by Parliament concerning the legislative proposal on guarantee of origin of energy will continue in the autumn session. In May, it was estimated that the Act would come into force by the end of June.

The main effect of the delay to producers, vendors and users of energy is that the granting of the guarantees of origin, which the Act proposes, will be delayed. The proposed Act would enter into force in October at the earliest. 

Guarantees of origin for electricity from renewable energy sources are being granted in accordance with the current Act on Verification and Notification of Origin of Electricity until the new Act on guarantees of origin enters into force. 

During the further discussions about the proposal, its transitional provisions will be examined, including the new obligations on certification of guarantees of origin and the time limits for the registrar to introduce the register of the guarantees of origin. 

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the guarantees of origin of electricity from renewable sources under the proposed Act should only be granted to electricity produced after the implementation of the Act, in order to ensure the continuity of the market activities. 

The Government submitted to Parliament the legislative proposal on the guarantees of energy on 12 May 2021. The goal is to improve the customers’ opportunities to influence the origin of the energy they are using by providing them a reliable system. With the guarantee of origin, consumers can trust that the energy marketed and sold to them as renewable really is produced from renewable energy sources. 

The proposed Act would broaden the legislation on guarantees of origin to include gas, hydrogen as well as heating and cooling, according to the Renewable Energy Directive. Also the electricity produced from nuclear energy along with waste heat and cold will be subjected to the provisions of guarantees of origin. 

Inquiries:
Inkeri Lilleberg, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 472 0706