The demand for gas produced from renewable energy sources (RES), also known as green gas, recently has showed a strong growth in Europe, and this type of energy has been making its way in Lithuania. The development of green gas market brings Lithuania closer to the task of reducing climate change impacts and becoming the country of green energy. The natural gas transmission system operator Amber Grid supports and contributes and promotes green energy development.
From 1 June 2019, Amber Grid administers the National Register of Guarantees of Origin of gas produced from RES, in other words, performs the functions of issue, transfer and cancel of Guarantees of Origin (GO), and supervises and controls the use of GOs as well as provides the recognition of GOs issued in other countries.
Green gas is produced from biomass and other RES. GO is granted for one unit of energy, i.e. one megawatt-hour (MWh) supplied to the natural gas transmission and distribution network.
The system of GOs allows to identify, register and monitor the origin of green gas produced. The users of this energy can be assured that the gas they use has been produced using RES. This system is important for companies that want to use green energy produced in Lithuania or other European Union country.
Granting of GOs
GOs can be granted to the participants registered in the Electronic Database of Guarantees of Origin (the Database), for the gas produced from RES and supplied to natural gas networks. GOs can be issued, transferred and canceled electronically. GOs issued by other Member States can also be recognized in Lithuania.
The Database is administered by Amber Grid. It is used to collect and archive data about producers of green gas, production facilities of green gas GOs granting, transfer and use as well as suppliers of GOs, etc.
Data on the registered participants and monthly reports on the issued GOs are available on the website of Amber Grid during the reporting month. A market participant and Amber Grid are responsible for the correctness of the data.
How to obtain GO?
Registration of producer:
- Producer having a license to produce gas from RES and willing to acquire GO, shall apply to Amber Grid electronically for registration in the Database (application form)
- Producer shall provide the license to produce gas from RES
- Amber Grid shall register the application in the Database.
Registration of equipment for production of gas from RES:
- Producer having a license to produce gas from RES has to register the equipment in the Database
- Producer shall apply to Amber Grid for registration of the equipment (application form)
- Amber Grid shall register the application in the Database.
Granting of GO:
- After the registration of the producer and equipment in the Database, within three working days Amber Grid will issue the GO confirming the origin of gas
- The GO is granted for one unit of energy - one megawatt-hour (MWh One GO can be issued for each unit of energy produced from RES. The GO has to be used within 12 months from the moment of production of the relevant energy unit. GOs having not been used within the specified period shall be cancelled.
Registration of Supplier:
- Supplier having a license to supply gas produced from RES and willing to acquire the GO, shall apply to Amber Grid electronically for registration in the Database (application form)
- Supplier together with the application shall provide a license for such activity
- Amber Grid shall register an application in the Database.
Gas suppliers willing to register in Lithuania the GOs issued in other countries, have to be registered in the Database. Gas suppliers shall submit to Amber Grid a free-form application to register GO received in other country.
Administration of GO
Amber Grid is the designated body to perform the functions of issue, transfer and cancelation of GOs of gas produced from RES, as well as recognize in Lithuania the GOs issued in other countries. These GOs rules are binding for gas producers, gas suppliers, gas transmission and distribution system operators as well as other market participants that intend to acquire or have in possession the GOs and submit information to the designated body.
Relevant legal acts:
- Rules for Guarantees of Origin for gas produced from RES
- Law on Natural Gas
- Law on Renewable Energy
- Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Law on Legal Protection of Personal Data
- Order on approval of the rules of guaranties of origin (unofficial translation)
Contacts
go@ambergrid.lt
ph. +370 5 232 7753
ph. +370 5 232 7748
