Federation of BiH Moves Closer to Launching a Guarantees of Origin Registry

On 21 August 2026 in Mostar, the Operator for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration (Operator za OIEiEK) of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement with European Energy Exchange AG (EEX) on the use of an electronic registry for guarantees of origin. According to Operator za OIEiEK, the registry is intended to support the issuance, transfer and cancellation of guarantees of origin for electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The agreement is an important implementation step, although further work is required before the registry becomes fully functional. The operator's announcement is available on the Operator za OIEiEK website.

What is a guarantee of origin?

A guarantee of origin (GO) is an electronic document used to confirm to a final customer that a specified share or quantity of electricity was produced using renewable energy sources. Under the Federation’s published framework, one GO corresponds to one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity. 

Within an operational registry, GOs can be issued, transferred and cancelled in accordance with the applicable rules. Cancellation records the use of the certificate for disclosure purposes. The detailed eligibility, account-registration, transfer and cancellation requirements will depend on the applicable legislation, registry rules and user procedures.

For buyers, GOs can provide evidence supporting claims about the renewable origin of purchased electricity, subject to the reporting framework and contractual arrangements applicable to the buyer. For producers, GOs may allow the renewable attribute of eligible electricity to be documented and transferred separately from the physical electricity transaction, where permitted by the applicable market and registry rules. 

What was agreed in Mostar?

The agreement concerns Operator za OIEiEK’s use of a registry provided by EEX. According to the operator, the electronic system is intended to improve the transparency, traceability and reliability of data relating to guarantees of origin. The following functions are expected to be handled through the electronic system: 

• Issuance of guarantees of origin for eligible renewable electricity, in accordance with the applicable rules;
• Transfer of guarantees of origin between eligible registry users;

• Cancellation of guarantees of origin in accordance with the relevant disclosure and registry procedures.

Operator za OIEiEK has stated that activities required to prepare the registry and create the conditions for its full functional application will follow the signing. The operator will announce the start of the system and the relevant procedures and obligations for future users separately. 

Why does the registry matter?

• For eligible producers in the Federation of BiH, an operational registry could provide a standardised means of documenting the renewable origin of qualifying electricity. Subject to market demand, eligibility and the applicable rules, GOs may also have a separate commercial value.
• For suppliers, corporate buyers and other eligible users, the system could provide a more structured way to obtain and manage evidence concerning the renewable origin of electricity. The extent to which particular GOs may be used for sustainability reporting, product claims or customer disclosure will depend on the relevant reporting standards, contractual terms and recognition rules.

• For the wider market, an operational registry could support more transparent and traceable renewable-electricity transactions. Any effect on liquidity, GO prices, producer revenues or corporate procurement will depend on implementation, user participation, certificate supply and demand, and the rules governing recognition and transfer.

The agreement applies to the development of the system in the Federation of BiH. The operator’s announcement does not state that GOs issued through the future registry will automatically be recognised in the EU, admitted to the Association of Issuing Bodies’ European Energy Certificate System, or freely transferable to every neighbouring market. Those matters should be assessed separately once the final registry rules, interfaces and recognition arrangements are published.

Guarantees of origin in South-Eastern Europe

Guarantees-of-origin frameworks are at different stages of development across South-Eastern Europe and the Energy Community. The development of an electronic registry in the Federation of BiH represents a further step towards establishing the infrastructure needed to issue, transfer and cancel renewable-energy certificates.

However, the establishment of a national or entity-level registry should be distinguished from cross-border recognition. The ability to transfer or use GOs in another jurisdiction depends on the relevant legal framework, technical arrangements and recognition rules. The signing of the EEX agreement should therefore be viewed as an implementation milestone rather than confirmation of unrestricted regional or EU-wide tradability.

For power traders and originators, the developments to monitor next are the operational launch date, account-opening conditions, eligible participants and installations, transfer rules, cancellation procedures, fees, registry interfaces and any arrangements for domestic or cross-border recognition.

FAQ

What is a guarantee of origin (GO)?

A guarantee of origin is an electronic document used to demonstrate to a final customer that a specified quantity or share of electricity was produced from renewable energy sources. Under the Federation’s published framework, one guarantee of origin corresponds to one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity.

What will the new registry in the Federation of BiH do?

The registry is intended to support the electronic issuance, transfer and cancellation of guarantees of origin for renewable electricity. Operator za OIEiEK has signed an agreement with EEX on the use of the registry, but further preparatory work is required before full functional implementation.

When will the registry launch?

The launch date has not been announced. Operator za OIEiEK has stated that it will inform the public about the start of the system and the procedures and obligations relevant to future users. 

Who issues guarantees of origin in the Federation of BiH?

Operator za OIEiEK, the Federation's Operator for Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Cogeneration. 

Can guarantees of origin from the Federation of BiH be sold to buyers in the EU?

The agreement announcement does not confirm automatic recognition or unrestricted sale of GOs from the Federation of BiH in the EU. Cross-border transfer and recognition will depend on the applicable legal rules, technical arrangements and any relevant agreements or recognition decisions. Market participants should therefore assess EU tradability separately once the operational and recognition framework is confirmed. 

Why do companies buy guarantees of origin?

Companies may use GOs as evidence concerning the renewable origin of electricity for energy disclosure, procurement or sustainability-related purposes. Whether a particular GO is sufficient for a specific corporate claim or reporting obligation depends on the applicable standard, recognition rules and the company’s reporting methodology. 

Does the agreement mean that the registry is already operational?

No. The agreement is a significant implementation step, but Operator za OIEiEK has stated that additional activities are needed to prepare the registry and create the conditions for its full functional application. The start date and user procedures will be announced separately.

About D.TRADING

D.TRADING is a B2B energy and commodity trading company operating across Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, with hubs in Baar (Switzerland), Zagreb (Croatia), Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Kyiv (Ukraine). The company operates in 26 countries.

The company trades power, gas, LNG, and fuels for enterprise and wholesale counterparties, with services that include structured trading, renewable offtake, battery storage route-to-market, and guarantees of origin. In 2025, it traded 12.1 TWh of power and 7.0 TWh of natural gas for more than 130 clients.

Disclaimer

This article is prepared by D.TRADING for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, accounting, tax, or regulatory advice. The information contained herein is based on publicly available sources and reflects opinion on the regulatory environment as of the publication date. D.TRADING makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. This document is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any energy products, commodities, or financial instruments.