The Renewables Obligation (RO) is one of the primary backing mechanisms for large-scale renewable electricity projects in the UK.
The RO came into effect in 2002 in England and Wales and Scotland, followed by Northern Ireland in 2005. It places an obligation on UK electricity suppliers to source an increasing proportion of the electricity supplied from renewable sources.
ROCs are certificates issued to operators of accredited renewable generating stations for the eligible renewable electricity they generate. Operators can trade ROCs with other parties. Suppliers ultimately use ROCs to demonstrate that they have met their renewable obligation.
