iREC vs REC vs Other Options – Choosing the Right Path to Renewable Energy Claims

As the global movement toward net zero and decarbonization accelerates, understanding renewable energy instruments like iRECs, RECs, Green Energy Procurement, and Carbon Credits is essential for corporate sustainability leaders.

This presentation by Enerco Energy Solutions LLP breaks down the differences between these key mechanisms — explaining how each supports renewable energy adoption, carbon neutrality, and ESG reporting.

What’s Inside:
✅ Overview of iRECs (International Renewable Energy Certificates) – enabling cross-border renewable energy claims.
✅ Understanding India’s RECs – supporting RPO compliance and voluntary sustainability goals.
✅ Green Energy Procurement via DISCOMs/Open Access – enabling 100% renewable consumption under India’s 2022 Green Open Access Rules.
✅ Carbon Credits – addressing residual emissions under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 and global voluntary markets.
✅ Comparative insights on scope, pricing, additionality, and best-fit strategies.

Who Should Read This:

Corporate sustainability and ESG teams

RE100 and Net Zero leaders

Industrial and commercial energy managers

Investors and policy professionals exploring renewable procurement pathways

With over 16 years of expertise and 1.6 billion kWh of verified energy savings, Enerco provides clarity and strategy for organizations advancing their sustainability journey across India and the Middle East.

Key Takeaway:
While iRECs and RECs validate renewable energy claims, direct green energy procurement accelerates decarbonization, and carbon credits close the loop on residual emissions. The right mix ensures measurable, credible progress toward Net Zero.

Learn more about Enerco’s work in:
🌱 Carbon Neutrality & Net Zero Strategy
⚡ Renewable Energy Procurement & RE100 Advisory
☀️ Solar, Hybrid & BESS Projects
💧 Water and Sustainability Solutions

🔗 Visit: www.EnercoEnergySolutions.com

📩 [email protected]

#iREC #REC #CarbonCredits #GreenEnergy #RenewableEnergy #NetZero #RE100 #ESG #Sustainability #EnercoEnergy #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization #CarbonNeutral #OpenAccess #CCTS #CorporateSustainability #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction

1. ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP

2. ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP
Phone : [phone] Email : [email protected]
Mobile : [phone] Website : EnercoEnergySolutions.com

1. Introduction
The global shift toward decarbonization has spurred diverse mechanisms to support
renewable energy adoption and carbon neutrality. This document compares four key
instruments: iRECs (International Renewable Energy Certificates), Green Energy
Procurement from DISCOMs, RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates), and Carbon
Credits. Each serves distinct roles in advancing sustainability goals, catering to regulatory
compliance, voluntary claims, and emission offsetting.

2. Purpose and Scope
Instrument Primary Purpose Scope
iREC
Certify renewable energy generation
for international compliance/claims
Global (aligned with I-REC
Standard)
Green Energy
(DISCOM)
Procure physical renewable energy
directly from utilities
Local/state-level (e.g., India’s
Green Tariff Policy, Open Access
Rules)
REC
Decouple renewable energy
attributes from physical power for
domestic compliance
National (e.g., India’s CERC-
regulated market)
Carbon Credit
Offset greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions via certified
reduction/removal projects
Global (compliance: CCTS;
voluntary: VERRA, Gold Standard)

3. Regulatory Frameworks
iREC
 Governed by the I-REC Standard Foundation, recognized in 45+ countries.
 Used by multinational corporations for cross-border renewable energy claims
(e.g., RE100).

Green Energy Procurement
 India: Regulated by state DISCOMs under Green Energy Open Access Rules
2022, allowing consumers to procure 100% renewable power via tariffs or open
access.
 Key Policies: Must meet RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation) targets;
exemptions on transmission charges for solar/wind.

3. ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP
Phone : [phone] Email : [email protected]
Mobile : [phone] Website : EnercoEnergySolutions.com


(Also read: RE100 vs Net-Zero vs Carbon Neutral. Are they the same?)

REC
 India: Administered by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
 Traded on power exchanges (e.g., IEX, PXIL); 1 REC = 1 MWh of renewable
energy.

Carbon Credit
 India: Governed by Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 for
compliance.
 Global: Voluntary markets use standards like VERRA, Gold Standard,
and CDM.

4. Key Differences
Parameter iREC Green Energy
(DISCOM)
REC Carbon
Credit
Unit 1 MWh (global)
Physical MWh
(local)
1 MWh
(domestic)
1 tonne CO₂
equivalent
Primary Use
Cross-border
sustainability
claims
Direct renewable
consumption
RPO compliance,
voluntary claims
Emission
offsetting
Market International State-specific National (India) Global
Pricing $0.5–5/MWh
DISCOM tariff +
charges
₹1,000–
2,500/MWh
(India)
$4–15/tonne
(voluntary)
Additionality Optional
High (direct
procurement)
Often lacks
additionality
Requires
proven
additionality

(Planning for Renewable Energy Project? Read this)

4. ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP
Phone : [phone] Email : [email protected]
Mobile : [phone] Website : EnercoEnergySolutions.com

5. Market Dynamics
iREC
 Demand Drivers: Multinationals (e.g., Google, Apple) for global ESG reporting.
 Challenges: Limited liquidity in emerging markets.
Green Energy (DISCOM)
 Growth: India added 15 GW of green energy open access in 2023.
 Barriers: Grid congestion, banking restrictions.
REC
 India: Market revival post-2020 with 8.5 million RECs traded in FY2024.
 Issues: Oversupply (low prices: ₹1,000/MWh vs. ₹3,500/MWh in 2017).

Carbon Credit
 Voluntary Market: Valued at $2 billion in 2023; India’s CCTS targets 10%
emission cuts by 2030.
 Risks: Greenwashing concerns (e.g., low-quality forestry projects).
6. Challenges
 iREC/REC: Lack of additionality; double-counting risks.
 Green Energy Procurement: Limited DISCOM capacity, bureaucratic delays.
 Carbon Credits: Fragmented standards, verification costs.


(Enhance your knowledge with more interesting articles, case-studies at ENERCO
Knowledge Corner)

7. Opportunities
 Hybrid Models: Pair RECs with carbon credits for Scope 2 and 3 neutrality.
 Corporate Strategies: Tech firms (e.g., Infosys) use DISCOM procurement + iRECs
for global offices.
 Policy Synergy: India’s CCTS and Green Open Access Rules create integrated
compliance pathways.

8. Conclusion

5. ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP
Phone : [phone] Email : [email protected]
Mobile : [phone] Website : EnercoEnergySolutions.com

While iRECs and RECs enable renewable energy claims, Green Energy
Procurement directly boosts clean energy adoption, and Carbon Credits address residual
emissions. Businesses must align choices with strategic goals, regulatory needs, and
credibility requirements.

We at ENERCO Energy Solutions LLP are actively working across India and
the middle-East on sustainability projects and solutions. Our primary offerings
are on
 Carbon Neutrality (decarbonization)
 Net-zero
 RE100
 Solar + Wind-Solar hybrid + BESS
 Water-saving
 Sustainability solutions and projects

Contact US: [email protected] / [email protected] /
[phone] () /[phone] (??????)
EnercoEnergySolutions.com