Singapore Updates Renewable Energy Certificate Standard to Strengthen Scope 2 Claims

Singapore has updated its national standard for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), introducing clearer guidelines on which certificates companies should use to substantiate renewable electricity consumption and market-based Scope 2 emissions claims. Announced on 27 October 2026, the revisions to Singapore Standard SS 673: Code of Practice for Renewable Energy Certificates were developed by Enterprise Singapore through the Singapore Standards Council, together with the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry and the Energy Market Authority (EMA). The changes aim to improve transparency, consistency and credibility in corporate renewable electricity reporting.

 

Under the updated standard, companies claiming renewable electricity consumption in Singapore should use RECs associated with electricity physically supplied to the country's power grid. Eligible certificates include those generated from domestic renewable energy sources, such as solar installations, and approved cross-border electricity trade (CBET) projects that contractually supply electricity to Singapore through physical grid interconnections. Each REC represents one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from a renewable source and delivered to the grid. The revised approach strengthens the connection between corporate electricity consumption and the renewable energy sources supporting reported claims.

 

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RECs from overseas renewable energy projects that do not supply electricity to Singapore are treated differently. Companies may continue purchasing these certificates to support renewable energy development and regional decarbonization, but the updated standard states that they should not be used to claim renewable electricity consumption in Singapore or substantiate associated market-based Scope 2 claims. Businesses seeking to support overseas renewable energy projects may consider purchasing certificates from Southeast Asian markets, while distinguishing those contributions from their own electricity consumption claims.

 

The changes build on SS 673, first introduced in 2021 to strengthen measurement, reporting and verification requirements for renewable energy certificates. A public-private working group developed the amendments, which then underwent public consultation before finalization. Puah Kok Keong, EMA's Chief Executive, said the revisions would help ensure renewable electricity claims remain credible, transparent and consistent. The updated guidance is particularly relevant to multinational companies, electricity-intensive businesses and data center operators seeking reliable evidence to support their sustainability reporting.

 

The amendments also reflect Singapore's growing access to renewable electricity through domestic solar generation and regional power imports. By recognizing certificates for approved cross-border electricity supplies, the standard gives companies a clearer basis to procure renewable electricity while supporting the development of regional clean energy infrastructure. The list of amendments is available free of charge through the Singapore Standards e-shop. The consolidated 2026 edition of SS 673 is expected to be available for purchase from mid-November 2026. As a code of practice, the updated standard provides guidance on credible claims rather than introducing a blanket legal prohibition on purchasing overseas RECs.

 

Source: Energy Market Authority of Singapore