In today’s corporate sustainability agenda, simply stating “we use renewable energy” is no longer enough. Companies are now expected to document this use in a manner that is reliable, traceable and compliant with international standards.

I-REC certificates are gaining increasing prominence on the agenda of companies that export, operate within global supply chains, or prepare CDP or sustainability reports. The question we encounter most frequently in the field is quite clear:

“How can we use I-REC certificates to attribute our electricity consumption to renewable energy and document it?”

This question is typically driven by two core needs. Some companies seek to demonstrate their renewable energy use within the scope of RE100, CDP, GHG Protocol Scope 2 reporting or supplier audits. Others, particularly in response to requests from their customers, business partners or procurement processes in Europe, are seeking to clarify what I-REC is and how it should be used.

In both cases, the objective is the same: to document, through an accurate, transparent and auditable system, that the electricity consumed is attributed to renewable energy sources.

What Is an I-REC Certificate?

I-REC is an international certification system that documents the environmental attributes of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Each I-REC certificate represents 1 MWh of electricity generated from a renewable energy source.

Once the certificate is redeemed on behalf of a company, that is, matched against the relevant consumption and its right of use is terminated, the same certificate cannot be used again. This prevents the same 1 MWh of renewable energy generation from being reported by more than one company.

This is precisely what gives the I-REC system its value. Companies do not merely declare that their electricity consumption is met with renewable energy; they also support this claim with an internationally recognised document.

Why Do Companies Need I-REC Certificates?

Today, demand for I-RECs can no longer be explained by environmental awareness alone. The matter is now directly linked to companies’ commercial relationships, export capabilities, supply chain compliance and sustainability performance.

In Türkiye, demand for I-REC certificates is growing particularly in the following areas:

• Textile, apparel and industrial companies exporting to the European Union
• Suppliers of global companies with RE100 commitments
• Organisations reporting on climate change through CDP
• Companies reporting GHG Protocol Scope 2 emissions using the market-based method
• Exporters managing carbon-intensive production processes within the scope of CBAM
• Organisations seeking to document their renewable energy use in customer, investor or audit processes

This landscape means that the I-REC certificate is no longer merely a sustainability document. When used correctly, I-RECs enable companies to establish a stronger, more transparent and more credible position vis-à-vis their customers, investors and business partners.

The Advantage of Türkiye-Sourced I-REC Certificates

Türkiye has significant potential in renewable energy generation. There is a domestic supply of I-RECs for electricity generated from wind, solar, hydroelectric and other renewable energy sources.

This creates a significant advantage for companies. The required certificates do not always need to be sourced from abroad. With Türkiye-sourced I-REC certificates, local renewable energy generation can be supported, and companies’ reporting and certification processes can be managed more practically.

However, there is a critical point to bear in mind: not every I-REC certificate is automatically deemed suitable for every reporting requirement. The certificate’s country of generation, generation period, source type, technology information and redemption process must be consistent with the company’s reporting framework.

For this reason, looking only at volume or price is not sufficient when purchasing I-RECs. The intended use of the certificate must be correctly defined from the outset.

How Does the I-REC Purchasing Process Work?

The I-REC process generally has a straightforward structure. However, if not managed properly, it may give rise to the risk of incomplete or non-compliant documentation on the reporting side.

The core process consists of the following steps:

1. The company’s electricity consumption for the relevant period is determined.
2. The I-REC requirement corresponding to the consumption volume is calculated in MWh.
3. Certificates are selected with the country, period and source type appropriate to the reporting purpose.
4. The certificates are purchased on behalf of the company.
5. The relevant certificates are redeemed on behalf of the company.
6. The redemption statements are used for reporting, audits, customer requests or sustainability claims.

At first glance, this process may appear simple. In practice, however, it is critically important which generation period the certificate belongs to, which renewable energy source it was generated from, which country’s registry it is recorded in and on whose behalf it has been redeemed.

Particularly in processes linked to RE100, CDP, the GHG Protocol, SBTi or CBAM, these details can directly affect reporting eligibility.

How Is the I-REC Process Managed with Genvera Elektrik?

Genvera Elektrik offers a digital infrastructure that makes the I-REC certificate purchasing process faster, more transparent and more accessible for companies.

Through Genvera Elektrik’s digital platform, you can purchase the I-REC certificates you need directly online. You can determine the certificate volume that matches your consumption, select the certificate type and complete your transaction digitally.

This structure provides significant operational convenience, particularly for companies that wish to move quickly. Instead of lengthy quotation processes, multi-stage negotiations or manual approval workflows, the required certificates can be obtained in a shorter time.

At Genvera Elektrik, with an I-REC transaction volume exceeding 7 million MWh in the Turkish market, we are directly involved in every step of this process. This volume gives us valuable experience in observing the diverse reporting needs of different sectors first-hand and in providing companies with more accurate guidance.

We manage sourcing, contract structuring, certificate selection, redemption and reporting integration from a single point of contact. As a result, companies do not simply purchase certificates; they are also able to plan more accurately how to use these certificates in their reporting and audit processes.

Which Reporting Frameworks Accept I-RECs?

When the appropriate conditions are met, I-REC certificates can be used within many international sustainability and carbon reporting frameworks. However, each framework has different technical criteria. The intended use must therefore always be taken into account when selecting certificates.

The main areas of use are as follows:

• RE100: Türkiye-sourced I-REC certificates may be considered in renewable electricity usage claims, provided that the technical criteria are met.
• CDP Scope 2 Reporting: They can be used to document renewable electricity consumption under the market-based method.
• GHG Protocol Scope 2: They can be taken into account in market-based emission calculations as energy attribute certificates.
• EU CBAM: They may be considered, subject to certain conditions, with respect to the electricity component and embedded emissions calculations.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): They can be used under the Scope 2 market-based method, taking into account geographic matching, vintage and source criteria.

The critical point here is that an I-REC certificate does not, on its own, automatically address every reporting requirement. When used together with the right certificate, the right consumption period and the right redemption statement, the I-REC becomes a powerful documentation tool.

Consultancy or Direct Supply?

There are different service models within the I-REC ecosystem in Türkiye. Some firms provide consultancy services and refer companies to other suppliers. Others trade directly in the certificate market, work with generation facilities and manage supply first-hand.

Genvera Elektrik is positioned in the second model.

We work directly with renewable energy generation facilities in Türkiye, manage certificate supply first-hand and support companies’ I-REC processes end to end. Operating without an intermediary layer, this structure provides companies with significant advantages in terms of speed, cost management, transparency and reporting reliability.

This approach is particularly valuable for corporate clients, because the I-REC purchasing process is not only about obtaining a certificate; the certificate must also be used for the right purpose, for the right period and in line with the right reporting logic.

Conclusion: I-REC Is a Strategic Tool That Strengthens Renewable Energy Claims

I-REC certificates enable companies to document their renewable energy use through a reliable, traceable and internationally recognised system.

Today, for companies that export, face supply chain pressure, prepare sustainability reports or wish to strengthen their carbon management processes, I-REC is no longer a matter that can be postponed.

When structured correctly, I-REC strengthens sustainability claims, supports reporting processes and helps companies present a more credible stance to their customers, investors and business partners.

If you wish to obtain I-REC certificates to cover your annual electricity consumption or to develop a multi-year renewable energy procurement strategy, you can manage your process digitally, quickly and reliably with Genvera Elektrik.