Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) are issued to renewable electricity generators for every megawatt-hour (MWh) they produce. Introduced in 2002, the scheme creates a market-based incentive by allowing generators to sell ROCs alongside their electricity, giving them an extra revenue stream.
Energy suppliers must buy ROCs to prove they source a set share of their power from renewables or pay a penalty instead.
This system helps offset the higher costs of renewable energy, supporting the growth of technologies like wind, solar, hydro, and biomass.
If you have renewable energy obligations we can help you meet your requirements through the purchase of renewable electricity and/or associated certificates through our simple online auction platform.
Ahead of the auctions taking place we will invite you to register as a buyer which involves signing our Buyer Registration form and agreeing to the auction code.
You will receive a username and a password to gain entry to the auction site. Ahead if the auction site going live you will be able to view the available lots.
On the day of the auction, you will be able to bid on the lots of your as long as you are willing to meet the reserve price set by the seller. As a Buyer you have full flexibility to secure the specific certificate types that best match your compliance, sustainability, or trading requirements
On auction day, bidding opens at 10am and typically runs until around 5pm, or earlier if no further bids are placed. In cases of strong competition, the auction may extend into the following day. Each bidding window lasts 30 minutes; if no higher bid is received within that time, the sale is confirmed
If you are the highest bidder of any lot you will receive an invoice after the auction. On receipt of payment a member of the e-POWER team will transfer the certificates from the e-POWER holding account to you.
We handle the transfer and payment for all certificates won at auction, simplifying the process for buyers. Even with multiple lots from multiple generators, you’ll receive one invoice and work with one company — e-POWER.
Backed by exceptional customer support, e-POWER delivers a hassle-free renewable energy certificate trading experience from start to finish.
If you are a renewable generator receiving ROC certificates, you can sell them through our e-POWER Auction Platform. Energy suppliers and traders actively seek ROCs, making them a valuable revenue stream for generators.
If you have ROCSs available, we can offer them for sale through our online auction, where a wide range of suppliers, corporate buyers and traders compete to purchase certificates in one central marketplace.
To get started, you simply enter into our Agency Agreement, which authorises us to sell your ROCs through the platform. Before each auction, we contact you to confirm the volumes you wish to put forward for sale and what reserve prices you would
Your certificates are then digitally transferred to our holding account via Ofgem, ready to be sold, and a suggested reserve price is set. You can sell ROCs for the current and previous compliance period (April to March)..
Potential purchasers then analyse and bid on the certificates they want to buy through the online auction. Once your certificates have been purchased, we are paid by the purchaser and then we pay you, typically within around 7 days of the auction finishing. No need to deal with individual purchasers, we do this on your behalf.
If you generate renewable energy on your site, then you will likely be eligible to sell on your excess back to the grid. Whether you generate through wind, solar, biomass, geothermal or tidal, there is a market for your excess power.
Power companies and large corporations have obligations to meet on their usage of renewable energy and often purchase excess power and associated certificates from renewable generators to meet requirements. Here at e-POWER we offer a hassle-free option for generators and potential purchasers to come together to trade through our online auction.
The e-POWER online auction offers a competitive, transparent trading platform for both generators and buyers of ROCs. Reach a wide audience in one environment and with quick turnaround and prompt payment through our expert administration team.
A tight, collaborative team of experts sits behind every bid. From our tech department looking after our auctions, to our highly-experienced billing & settlements team, you can depend on us for not only a reliable price, but a wealth of knowledge and support with every trade.
Consider us a one-stop shop for all of your ROC trading requirements. With us, there’s no need to negotiate with different suppliers or be an expert in energy certificate trading – it’s all taken care of in one, easy online auction. The team handles everything from your initial set-up on the auction to certificate administration to regulatory compliance. With speedy settlements, you can count on your returns being with you when they should.
Our online auction takes the stress out of buying energy and certificates. Learn how you can get access to hundreds of generator sites and certificates in one, hassle-free online marketplace. With early access to auctions for analysis, as well as 24/7 bid-setting, you can trust in our auction to get you competitive prices across a range of electricity and certificate types.
ROCs are issued to accredited renewable electricity generators, including a wide range of renewable energy producers such as wind farms, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, biomass plants, and hydroelectric generators. For generators, ROCs offer a critical source of income in addition to power sales, making the scheme particularly valuable for medium to large-scale renewable projects that are already part of the scheme.
Generators often sell ROCs to energy suppliers directly or through energy trading platforms that connect them with buyers. These third-party services help streamline the selling process, providing a market for renewable generators to maximize their revenue and avoid the complexities of direct sales.
The primary buyers of Renewable Obligation Certificates are licensed electricity suppliers in the UK, who are required to meet the Renewable Obligation by sourcing a specified proportion of their energy from renewable sources. Suppliers use ROCs to demonstrate compliance with these obligations and avoid the ROC buyout price, a fixed fee per MWh that they must pay if they fall short of their renewable quota.
Many suppliers buy ROCs to meet or exceed their Renewable Obligation, especially as consumer demand for green tariffs grows. By purchasing ROCs, they can offer renewable energy tariffs to their customers, allowing them to meet the increasing demand for sustainable energy options. Some larger companies and corporations may also buy ROCs to demonstrate their renewable commitments and reduce their overall carbon footprint, although the primary market for ROCs remains with energy suppliers.
The ROC buyout price is a fixed price per MWh that energy suppliers must pay if they fail to meet their Renewable Obligation through the purchase of ROCs. This buyout price creates a financial incentive for suppliers to purchase ROCs. The buyout fund, created from these payments, is redistributed to suppliers who did meet their obligation, creating a further incentive to purchase ROCs.
The buyout price increases annually in line with inflation, creating a predictable, growing market for ROCs. For renewable generators, the ROC buyout price acts as a stabilising factor, indirectly supporting ROC prices by ensuring consistent demand. This system helps maintain a healthy market for ROCs, benefiting renewable electricity generators by providing a stable and predictable income stream.
For renewable energy generators, ROCs can present an essential source of income. By selling ROCs alongside their electricity output, generators can significantly boost their revenue, often securing long-term contracts with suppliers looking to meet their renewable obligations. This income is particularly valuable for projects that have high set-up costs or variable production rates, as ROC sales help stabilise earnings over time.
Many renewable generators work with third-party services to manage the sale of ROCs, which can maximise their revenue by connecting them with interested buyers, such as our online auction. These platforms help streamline the transaction process, ensuring that generators can consistently sell their certificates at competitive prices. By leveraging ROC sales, renewable generators can enhance their financial stability and continue to invest in sustainable energy solutions.
As the UK continues its journey toward net-zero emissions by 2050, the role of ROCs will gradually phase out as Contracts for Difference (CfDs) take over for new projects. However, ROCs will remain in effect for existing projects until 2037, providing continued revenue for renewable generators already in the scheme. As demand for green energy grows, ROC prices may continue to provide financial stability for generators and incentivise long-term production.
The value of ROCs will persist as long as they are in place, offering renewable energy producers a reliable income stream and encouraging them to maintain or expand their operations. This ongoing role in the UK energy market highlights the enduring value of ROCs for both renewable generators and energy suppliers.
For renewable electricity generators looking to maximise the value of their ROCs, our company provides a unique online auction service, designed to help you sell your excess power and associated certificates efficiently. With a focus on connecting you with the best buyers, handling the administration, and optimising revenue, we simplify the process so you can focus on generating clean energy. Whether you’re new to the ROC scheme or an established renewable generator, our services provide the support you need to achieve the best returns on your green energy contributions.
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