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Denmark Guarantees of Origin and Renewable Attribute Claims

Denmark Guarantees of Origin and Renewable Attribute Claims: Denmark Guarantees of Origin: Compliance for Renewable Energy Claims

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on May 28th, 2026

Summary

Denmark’s guarantees of origin systems, administered through Energinet, allow renewable electricity and renewable gas attributes to be documented through issuance, transfer and cancellation in registry systems. Suppliers and corporate buyers must cancel GOs in a way that matches the claim period to support renewable sourcing statements and avoid double-counting. Non-compliance typically involves unsubstantiated “renewable” claims, mismatched cancellation timing, and weak evidence chains. GO compliance also intersects with greenwashing risk: claims that overstate climate impact or imply additionality without basis are more likely to be challenged.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Denmark
Mandatory for

Legally binding for:

Energy suppliers and market participants use GOs for disclosure and claims.

Corporate buyers are relying on GOs to support renewable energy statements.

Exemptions

Entities not making renewable attribute claims are not required to use GOs, but cannot legitimately claim renewable sourcing without compliant instruments.

Claims based on other contractual structures may still require careful alignment with Danish and EU disclosure rules.

Deep dive

2 min read
Updated May 28, 2026

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What’s Required

Denmark operates a guarantee of origin (GOs) system that allows energy suppliers and consumers to document renewable energy attributes, administered through Energinet rules and registries.

Key requirements include:

  • GOs are issued, transferred and cancelled through authorised registry systems based on measured production.

  • Suppliers and corporate buyers must ensure claims about renewable electricity or renewable gas are supported by cancelled GOs or equivalent compliant instruments.

  • Market participants must follow registry rules, documentation standards and verification controls.

  • Misleading renewable attribute claims can trigger greenwashing exposure under marketing rules, especially where claims imply additional climate impact without a basis.

Important Deadlines

  • Ongoing: registry account maintenance and compliance with issuance, transfer and cancellation rules.

  • Event-based: cancellation must align with the reporting/claim period to substantiate supplier disclosures and corporate claims.

Current Status

Energinet continues to operate GO systems for renewable electricity and renewable gas, including documented notices and guidelines that define compliance expectations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Registry enforcement measures and potential restrictions for non-compliant market participants.

  • Elevated risk of enforcement under marketing law if renewable claims are misleading or poorly evidenced.

  • Reputational and contractual exposure where claims cannot be substantiated.

Examples of Known Violations

  • Claiming “100% renewable electricity” without cancellation of GOs matching the consumption period.

  • Double-counting risk where attributes are claimed by more than one party.

  • Claims implying climate additionality from GO purchases without a clear basis or context.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on May 27, 2026 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on May 28, 2026